Some 878 vehicles have been torched during the 07/12/31 to 08/01/01 night, according to an updated tally by the interior minister, after the revelations of new figures by the Europe 1 radio : after its own recount this morning, the radio asserted that "at least 746 vehicles" had been torched during that New Year eve.According to the interior minister, the total figure is "down 9.7%" compared to last year, contrary to what's indicated by the radio, which purports an increase of 10%.
IIRC, official tally was 374 cars; IIUC, the total figure for 2007 is in the 40 000 range seen since after the 2005 riots, up from about 30 000 in the 90's and early 2000's, counting only insured cars and vehicles, and excluding collaterally damaged ones. Hey, we beat Holland, after all!