The historic victory of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League has swept France into a collective frenzy in recent days. Hundreds of thousands of fans poured into the streets of Paris on Saturday night to celebrate the club’s second European title in history. Yet the euphoria took on a dark side. According to the Paris public prosecutor’s office, a total of three people died in connection with the celebrations.
Particularly distressing are two deaths that occurred at the Seine. Investigations are ongoing in both cases to clarify the exact circumstances.
The first incident took place in the 5th arrondissement. A man born in 1997 voluntarily jumped into the Seine, according to current findings. Shortly thereafter, he got into trouble and sank. Emergency responders were able to retrieve him from the water, but his condition was already critical. A few days later, he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Only a few hours later, another tragic incident occurred. On Sunday morning, emergency personnel discovered a man in the Seine near the Pont-au-Change. Despite immediate rescue attempts, the responders could not revive the victim. The authorities are now investigating his identity and the exact circumstances of his fall.
With these two deaths, the total number of victims related to the celebrations rose to three. Earlier that night, a motorcyclist died in an accident on the Paris ring motorway.
The events again cast a spotlight on the risks of large-scale mass gatherings. While the majority of fans celebrated peacefully, there were riots, property damage, and clashes with security forces in various parts of the capital. Numerous shops and public facilities reported damages, and emergency services were tasked well into the early morning hours.
Between Saturday and Sunday, the Ministry of the Interior registered more than 890 arrests. This police action count significantly exceeded that following the club’s first European title win last year. Authorities described the situation as tense, necessitating the massive deployment of police, fire, and emergency medical services.
For many Parisians, a bitter aftertaste remains. What began as a raucous football celebration ended in tragedy for several families. While PSG and its fans celebrate the sporting success, attention now turns to the ongoing investigations aimed at determining how the fatal incidents at the Seine could have happened.
The city of Paris once again experiences the dark side of those nights where boundless joy and uncontrolled energy often lie just a few steps apart.