French police finally closed an illegal rave near the city of Rennes, which drew more than 2,500 celebrities from across the country.
The party had been taking place in a warehouse since Thursday, defying the country’s strict coronavirus blocking requirements, Reuters reported.
Initial efforts to remove revelers on Friday were met with violence, with young challengers throwing stones and bottles at the police. At least one police car was set on fire.
The situation got so out of hand that French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin called a crisis meeting on Friday to assess the situation, according to the BBC.
The party – which was supposed to last at least until Tuesday – was finally closed with the arrival of reinforcements from the police.
More than 1,200 people received official citations for leaving the venue and the police plan to prosecute the event’s organizers. Lighting and musical equipment were also seized at the scene.
France has the highest number of coronaviruses in Western Europe, with more than 64,000 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began.