More than 600 arrested amid high school blockades in France

At least 625 people were arrested Wednesday as high school blockades continued in France, with authorities reporting an increase in violence and dozens of injuries, according to French media.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the arrests came during actions to block high schools, describing an "extension of the movement" and an "increase in violence" around some establishments, BFMTV reported.

At least 32 students or education staff members were injured in the mobilization, while 83 members of the internal security forces were also injured.

The latest figures marked an increase from late Tuesday, when Nunez reported 440 arrests nationwide, with two-thirds resulting in people being placed in police custody.

Tuesday's arrests were mainly linked to property damage and clashes with security forces, including violence against public officials.

The high school student union, USL, said earlier that around 400 of France's 3,700 high schools had been blocked.

High school students have been mobilizing in the Ile-de-France region for the last week, protesting overcrowded classes and schedules as well as teacher shortages.

USL called for a convergence of the high school and university student movements and urged an "act two" of the mobilization Thursday.