Europe



Dozens of people are protesting the opening of Milan’s Expo 2015, torching parked cars, smashing bank and shop windows and clashing with riot police.

A police vehicle fires cannon water to extinguish fire on burning cars as clashes broke out between demonstrators and police during a protest against the Expo 2015 fair in Milan, Italy, Friday, May 1, 2015.

A police vehicle fires cannon water to extinguish fire on burning cars as clashes broke out between demonstrators and police during a protest against the Expo 2015 fair in Milan, Italy, Friday, May 1, 2015. Image by (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Protesters split off from a generally non-violent march a few hours after Italian Premier Matteo Renzi inaugurated Expo, which runs until October and features pavilions from nations large and small, rich and poor.

Police fired tear gas and unleashed water from trucks to try to scatter the violent protesters in Milan. Hooded protesters threw bottles and incendiary devices at police and journalists and set rubbish bins on fire. Firefighters worked to put out the fires.

Some marchers’ placards protested a high-speed rail line construction in northern Italy as well as Expo and other “big projects”.

(Press Association)