Shocking Video Shows Young Protester Swept Off Her Feet by Police Water Cannon During Italian Riots

A dramatic video from Italy shows a young female demonstrator being knocked to the ground by a powerful blast of water from riot police as protests turned violent in the northern city of Bologna.

The footage, reported by the New York Post on October 22, 2026, shows the woman dressed in red and carrying a handbag as she approaches the front of a crowd. Moments later, a high-pressure water cannon strikes her, sending her sprawling onto the pavement.

The incident reportedly occurred during demonstrations over rising living costs, housing expenses, stagnant wages and broader economic frustrations. Protests spread across several northern Italian cities, including Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin.

Although the demonstrations began peacefully, some gatherings escalated into clashes between protesters and police. Masked individuals reportedly threw stones and other objects at officers, smashed shop windows, looted stores and set fire to rubbish bins and makeshift barricades.

In Milan, police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds around Piazza del Duomo and the nearby luxury shopping arcade. Shops closed their doors as people fled the area, while authorities moved to restore order.

Italian police reported detaining 271 young people during Sunday’s unrest in Milan. Of those taken to police stations, 32 were arrested, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals, according to reports cited by the New York Post.

The violence prompted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to condemn those who used demonstrations as an opportunity to attack police and damage property.

“Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not,” Meloni said, calling on political opponents to clearly denounce the violence.

The unrest has also raised questions about the reasons behind the anger among younger demonstrators. Rising housing costs, economic insecurity and dissatisfaction with living conditions have contributed to protests across several European countries.

While the authorities have focused on preventing violence and protecting businesses and residents, critics have argued that the underlying social and economic grievances also need attention.

The video of the woman being struck by the water cannon has become one of the most striking images from the demonstrations, highlighting how quickly confrontations between police and protesters can escalate.

The full circumstances surrounding the woman’s encounter with police have not been independently established in the available reports.

Source:  NYPOST