Europeupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 17 October 2026France Opens Attempted Murder Probe After Petrol Bombs Hit Paris Security Forces
“The officer, who sustained minor injuries, told RTL that his unit had come ‘under assault’ from glass bottles, paving stones and firebombs.”
“Prosecutors on Sunday said initial injuries included second-degree burns.”
Photo: Jorge Jaramillo, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Prosecutors opened an attempted murder probe after petrol bombs struck security forces during Paris protests. An officer was set ablaze and suffered second-degree burns during the attack.
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Attempted murder probe in Paris
France opened an attempted murder investigation after petrol bombs were thrown at security forces during Paris protests on Saturday, with footage of an officer engulfed in flames sparking outrage. Prosecutors said the probe was opened for "attempted murder of persons vested with public authority" after "Explosive devices were thrown at around fifteen gendarmes as well as police officers," and they reported injuries that included second-degree burns. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the violence by some rioters as "extraordinary" as clashes erupted in Paris and other cities after hundreds of thousands staged a third weekend of protests against soaring living costs.
The Paris police prefecture said several hundred rioters attacked security forces with projectiles, including a Molotov cocktail, as demonstrations turned violent in the French capital. Prosecutors said investigators were working to identify those responsible, with no suspects in custody at the time of the Sunday announcement.
Injuries, arrests, and testimony
The gendarme struck by the Molotov cocktail told French television of the burns he suffered, describing "skin that stings" and a "rain" of projectiles thrown at his unit. The prosecutor’s office said the investigation was opened in Paris for "attempted murder of persons vested with public authority" and it added that no suspects "have been arrested at this stage in connection with the incident." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the level of violence perpetrated by some was "extraordinary" while the interior ministry reported more than 770 people were arrested during the weekend protests.
The prosecutor’s office said an assessment of the injured was ongoing and reported injuries included second-degree burns as video and images showed an incendiary device exploding at the feet of a security officer. The Paris police prefecture accused several hundred rioters of attacking security forces with projectiles, including a molotov cocktail, as prosecutors worked to identify those responsible.
Europe-wide unrest and fallout
The Guardian connected the France probe to violence that erupted across Europe, saying protests over the education system, deteriorating public services, declining prospects, unaffordable housing and the spiralling cost of living shook a number of countries this autumn. Germany’s interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said "The rioters and looters will be identified and held accountable" and he called for "Tough penalties must follow this breach of the peace." The Guardian said looters and rioters rampaged through Frankfurt, injuring more than 100 police officers, and it reported that Roman Poseck said hooded rioters damaged 17 Frankfurt shops and threw missiles including petrol bombs.
In Portugal, riot police cleared protest camps with baton charges at Rossio Square in Lisbon at about 4.30am on Sunday after thousands marched and set up camp, according to The Guardian. In Switzerland, police used water cannon, teargas and rubber bullets to disperse rioters in Zürich, while police said about 150 people gathered in Basel at around 9pm and shop windows were smashed, facades tagged with graffiti and bins and bikes set on fire.
