Hundreds gathered in Rome on Tuesday to protest against the arrival of Roma (Gypsy) families at a government-run centre, triggering violent protest.
A group of 70 Roma, including dozens of women and children, were set to be transferred temporarily to a reception centre in the east of the city.
But shortly after this was announced demonstrators blocked the centre’s entrance and set fire to a car.
Prosecutors are now investigating the incident.
The city’s mayor, Virginia Raggi, ordered the investigation and said there was a “very heavy climate of hatred” at the protest, which was reportedly organised by two far-right groups.
She said the families had now been housed elsewhere.
Video shared on local media showed people setting up barricades to prevent the families from reaching the reception centre.
