Milan [Italy], February 8 (ANI): An anti-Olympics protest in Milan descended into violence late Saturday after a largely peaceful march erupted into clashes between demonstrators and police, with authorities deploying tear gas and water cannons, CNN reported.

The unrest came as Italian officials separately investigated suspected acts of sabotage on railway lines in northern Italy.

According to CNN, thousands of protesters marched through Milan earlier in the day to oppose the 2026 Winter Olympics, citing environmental concerns about construction projects and what they described as the economic and social costs of hosting the Games.

The demonstration was organised by the Unsustainable Olympics Committee and drew participants from Milan, Lombardy and other parts of northern Italy, including environmental groups, students, housing activists, labour unions, pro-Palestinian networks and transfeminist collectives. Protestors also criticised what they called the Italian government's 'authoritarian security drift' and its treatment of racial minorities.

The protest remained peaceful throughout the afternoon, with demonstrators marching arm in arm, singing, and dancing. However, CNN reported that the clashes broke out after nightfall when the march passed near the Olympic Village, which was secured by a large police cordon.

Some demonstrators threw firecrackers and smoke bombs toward the athletes' housing, though the objects did not reach the buildings. Violence escalated when the march diverted onto Via Benaco and reached Piazzale Corvetto, where a smaller group hurled fireworks at police officers.

Police responded with charges, followed by the deployment of water cannons and tear gas as protestors later targeted police vans with additional fireworks, CNN said. Authorities noted that many demonstrators did not participate in the violence and remained in the main area of the square.

The clashes came a day after the 2026 Winter Olympics officially opened with a high-profile ceremony at Milan's San Siro stadium, featuring performances by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and American singer Mariah Carey.

Separately, CNN reported that railway networks in the northern Italian city of Bologna suffered severe disruptions on Saturday. Italy's transport minister said officials were investigating what he described as a possible 'premeditated attack' on rail infrastructure, raising concerns about coordinated sabotage. (ANI)