According to France Bleu Provence radio about 6,500 people took part in the carnival on Sunday. Police started to disperse the gathering at around 18:30 local time (17:30 GMT).
"No declaration in the prefecture, no masks, no physical distancing. Total irresponsibility of the participants in the carnival of #LaPlaine in #Marseille in the midst of a health crisis," the Bouches-du-Rhone police prefecture said on Twitter.
According to police, at least seven people were detained in Marseille on Sunday, including for throwing objects at law enforcement officers. At least one police officer was injured.
Une foule de milliers de personnes bravent l'interdiction à #Marseille pour célèbrer le Carnaval. pic.twitter.com/HmMMxc7tAB
— Anonyme Citoyen (images) (@AnonymecitoyenS) March 21, 2021
Ce dimanche marque la 21e édition du carnaval de la plaine à #Marseille, un carnaval politique, militant. Annule pour la première fois l’année dernière, il a été maintenu cette année. @20Minutes pic.twitter.com/rzzVjfdlXs
— Mathilde Ceilles (@MathildeCeilles) March 21, 2021
France Bleu Provence reported that people not wearing face masks at the carnival were fined. Meanwhile, radio RCF said that police used tear gas to disperse participants in the carnival on Sunday night.
Mask wearing in public places is mandatory in Marseille and the city has limits for the number of people who can take part in public gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
