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Thursday, 29 October 2026 Icelandic stories. Global audience.
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Icelandic visitors caught in Paris riots as student protests escalate

Agnes Gestsdóttir and Eva Dögg Hrundardóttir described fear and chaos as riots erupted in Paris, according to reports from mbl.is and Nútíminn.

Firefighter in turnout gear facing a large street blaze (Paris)
Image: Jorge Jaramillo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · licence, original (resized) Illustrative image.

Riots broke out in Paris yesterday that began as student protests and have since spread to other parts of France, according to mbl.is. The unrest disrupted the arrival of two Icelandic women, who described terrifying moments as they were caught in the middle of the turmoil.

Agnes Gestsdóttir, who travelled to Paris on a work trip, arrived in the city as the situation rapidly unfolded. She and Eva Dögg Hrundardóttir found themselves navigating through chaotic streets on their way to their hotel.

According to reports from Nútíminn, the two women encountered smoke, explosions, and people running as they tried to find shelter with their suitcases. Both spoke of their fear during the ordeal. Agnes Gestsdóttir said, “I have never been this scared,” while Eva Dögg Hrundardóttir added, “We have rarely in our lives been this scared.” Both statements were translated from Icelandic.

It is not yet known how many people were injured or arrested in the riots, or which specific locations in Paris were most affected by the unrest.

Sources

Image: Jorge Jaramillo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · licence, original (resized) Illustrative image.