Governments warn travelers after protests turn violent in France

European and Asian governments urged their citizens to avoid demonstrations in France after protests over rising prices and deteriorating public services turned violent, according to The Korea Times. Thousands of people were reportedly arrested, shops were looted and a town hall was set on fire.

The advisories emphasized avoiding crowds and following police instructions, but did not uniformly discourage travel. Poland left its overall assessment of travel safety unchanged, while Malaysia advised travelers to consider delaying nonessential trips, The Korea Times reported.

Italy asked its citizens to record their presence in France through a website or app so authorities could locate them, according to The Korea Times. The guidance was among precautions issued or reiterated by foreign ministries and diplomatic missions following the unrest.

Germany warned that more riots were possible. Its advisory said people who failed to leave unauthorized demonstrations when directed could face fines or claims for damages, the newspaper reported.

The Czech foreign affairs ministry said security conditions in France had worsened, The Korea Times reported, citing the CTK news agency. Poland urged travelers to stay away from demonstration sites without revising its broader guidance on whether France was safe to visit.

Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway also urged their citizens to keep away from demonstrations and heed local authorities. The Dutch advisory cited in the report had last been updated Oct. 7.

China's foreign ministry and diplomatic missions called on Chinese nationals planning trips to France to stay alert and avoid protest areas, according to state media cited by The Korea Times.

Malaysia said travel to France remained unrestricted, even as it advised considering a postponement of trips that were not essential, according to The Korea Times.