France opens attempted murder probe after petrol bomb attack

FRANCE on Sunday opened an attempted murder probe after petrol bombs were thrown at security forces during protests, as footage of an officer engulfed in flames sparked outrage.

On Saturday, clashes erupted here and in other cities after hundreds of thousands of people staged a third weekend of protests against soaring living costs.

The Paris police prefecture said several hundred rioters had attacked security forces with projectiles.

The Paris prosecutors' office said they were analysing videos and photos posted on social media.

They said they had singled out three individuals dressed in black in the style of Black Bloc protesters as suspects.

So far, however, there have been no arrests for the attacks.

While riots were less widespread than two weeks ago, when France experienced some of its worst unrest in years, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the violence perpetrated by some was "extraordinary".

Dramatic images showed a homemade incendiary device exploding at the feet of a security officer in protective gear, engulfing his lower body in flames.

Prosecutors said an investigation had been opened for "attempted murder of persons vested with public authority".

"Explosive devices were thrown at around 15 gendarmes as well as police officers," said prosecutors.

Gendarmes are military police officers who are part of the French armed forces.

Prosecutors said the reported injuries included second-degree burns.

A video circulating on social media showed a police officer performing crowd-control duties when his leg suddenly caught fire.

The footage showed two colleagues struggling to extinguish the flames as a man in a white T-shirt and straw hat rushed to the officer's aid, attempting to put out the fire with his bare hands. Moments later, another officer pushed the man away and shoved him against a wall.

"We thought this man had come to attack us, and my colleague pushed him away. This protester, or street medic, had actually come to help," said the gendarme, identifying himself only as Captain Alexandre.

Speaking separately to broadcaster RTL, the gendarme said his unit was "under assault", with glass bottles, paving stones and firebombs thrown at them. — AFP