Milan, Italy – Six individuals have been arrested following significant clashes between police and protesters in Milan, one of the host cities for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. These incidents occurred during the initial days of the Games, which officially commenced on February 6, 2026.
Reports indicate that thousands took to the streets across northern Italian cities on February 7, expressing their opposition to the 2026 Winter Olympics and a range of other pressing societal issues, including the rising cost of living. The demonstrations escalated into direct confrontations, with some protesters deploying rockets and throwing stones, while law enforcement responded with water cannons to disperse the crowds.
The widespread protests unfolded amidst a period of heightened tension. The Italian government had recently tightened its protest regulations following earlier weekend demonstrations in Turin, which resulted in over 100 police officers sustaining injuries. Concurrently, authorities have launched an investigation into suspected acts of vandalism that impacted the northern Italian rail network on February 7.
Adding to the unrest, significant disruptions crippled a northern railway network on February 7, causing travel delays for several hours. A fire was reported to have damaged railway infrastructure situated between Bologna and Venice. Subsequent police investigations uncovered evidence of cut cables and the detonation of explosives in the vicinity of Bologna Central Station. This station serves as a critical transportation hub, connecting major cities across Italy from north to south and east to west. Despite the widespread disruption, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), the state-owned company managing the country’s railway infrastructure, confirmed that services have since returned to normal. In response to the escalating situation, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly declared that both the protesters and those opposing the Games are considered enemies of Italy.
