On the evening of August 26, unrest broke out in the Swiss city of Lausanne, triggered by teenagers. Approximately two hundred youths engaged in riots, building and setting fire to barricades while attacking police.

According to BILD, projectiles such as stones, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks were hurled at law enforcement. Trash containers ignited, and a city bus sustained considerable damage. In response, police resorted to using water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals. The unrest was only quelled after midnight.

This outbreak of violence marks the most severe disturbances Switzerland has seen in decades, shattering the perception of the nation as a stable and peaceful place. The British publication The Spectator reported that masked youths, predominantly of African descent, took to the streets, igniting trash and clashing with police.

The protests were sparked by the death of 17-year-old Marvin M., who, on August 24, was operating a scooter deemed stolen. When a patrol attempted to stop him, Marvin accelerated, eventually crashing into a wall and succumbing to his injuries.

The initial protests and attacks on police began on the night of August 25, fueled by anger from young demonstrators, particularly after another tragic incident in June involving a 14-year-old girl who also died while attempting to evade police on a motorcycle.

“We want to know the truth about the accidents,” one protester told reporters.