A young Parisian fireman was killed last night as he tried in vain to extinguish a fierce blaze in an underground car park as France suffered a sixth night of rioting.
The 24-year-old, who has not been named, was on Monday part of an emergency operation in the troubled suburb of Saint-Denis, just north of the capital.
‘Overnight, while fighting against a blaze involving several vehicles in an underground car park in Saint-Denis, a young Corporal-Chief of the Paris Fire Brigade died despite very rapid treatment by his teammates,’ Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.
It comes as shocking videos showed huge gangs of hooded hooligans continuing to flood the streets of cities across France.
One set of videos showed what were described as ‘football ultras’ streaming through Lyon city centre, storming into municipal buildings, while others saw gangs of youths looting clothing stores.
In response to the ongoing violence, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands.
One clip showed a group of men standing outside a house in Metz brandishing katanas – lethal Japanese swords – as they defended their cars and properties from damage.
The riots rocking France were sparked by the killing of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old from an Algerian background who was shot at point blank range by a policeman during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday.
Many – including Mr Merzouk’s family – said the killing was symptomatic of widespread racism against ethnic minority groups in France.
A French firefighter works to extinguish a burning car during the fifth day of protests following the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager killed by a French police officer in Nanterre during a traffic stop, in Tourcoing, France, July 2, 2023
One set of videos showed what were described as ‘football ultras’ streaming through Lyon city centre, storming into municipal buildings, while others saw gangs of youths looting clothing stores
In response to the ongoing violence, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands. One clip showed a group of men standing outside a house in Metz brandishing katanas – lethal Japanese swords – as they defended their cars and properties from damage.
People run followed by police officers during riots following the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager killed by a French police officer in Nanterre during a traffic stop, at Champs Elysees in Paris, France
The ongoing violence saw 157 arrests between Sunday and Monday, said Mr Darmanin.
Though the latest arrest figure is well down on the 2000 plus taken into custody across Friday and Saturday, reports of violent acts continue to emerge.
French authorities were appalled on Sunday after a burning car struck the home of the mayor of the Paris suburb of L’Hay-les-Roses.
Several police stations and town halls have been targeted by fires or vandalism in recent days, but such a personal attack on a mayor’s home is unusual.
Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of Paris suburb L’Hay-les-Roses, said his wife would not be able to walk for three months after their family home was ramraided on Saturday.
‘It was an assassination attempt,’ he said. ‘A milestone was reached in horror and ignominy.’
Regional prosecutor Stephane Hardouin opened an investigation into attempted murder, telling French television that a preliminary investigation suggests the car was meant to ram the house and set it ablaze. He said a flame accelerant was found in a bottle in the car.
The Association of French Mayors has called for ‘the population to mobilise’ in front of town halls at noon on Monday as citizens whose businesses and property have been damaged amid the riots demand an end to the disturbance.
‘We will sound the sirens, we will continue our daily work so that order returns,’ the AFM said in a statement.
Highlighting the seriousness of the rioting, Macron delayed what would have been the first state visit to Germany by a French president in 23 years, which had been scheduled to start Sunday evening.
A gang of youths are seen robbing a clothing store amid riots
French soldiers, part of the national security plan ‘Vigipirate’, keep watch as they secure the area near the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, France, early 03 July 2023
Riot police forces on motorbike secure the area in front of the Arc de triomphe amid fears of another night of clashes with protestors in Paris, France, 02 July 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a government emergency meeting after riots erupted for the fifth night in a row across the country
Some 45,000 extra police have been placed on the streets night after night, but this has not stopped further trouble in cities and towns from Paris to Marseille.
The worst disorder on Sunday was in the southern port city, where police fired tear gas and fought street battles with youths.
Images circulating on social media showed how plumes of black smoke rose above the city of Marseille as fires mixed with the tear gas, creating acrid trails.
The officer responsible for shooting Mr Merzouk – identified as Florian M., 38 – remains on remand having been charged with murder.
Among those calling for calm over the weekend was France and Paris St Germain football star Kylian Mbappé, who said ‘the violence must end’.
A leaked police intelligence report described officers as being ‘at war with savage hordes of vermin’.
Two police unions threatened a revolt unless Emmanuel Macron’s government restored order.
‘Today the police are in combat because we are at war,’ says the report.
‘Tomorrow we will enter resistance and the government should be aware of.’
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