French firefighter dies putting out fire during riots
2 Min Read
The Interior Ministry says the 24-year-old firefighter died battling the blaze in an underground parking garage in the neighborhood of Seine-Saint-Denis.
-
Firefighters use a water hose on a burnt bus in Nanterre, outside Paris, France. (AP)
A French fireman lost his life while seeking to extinguish burning cars north of Paris, during a sixth consecutive night of protests over the police killing of a teenager, the Interior Minister announced on Monday.
According to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the 24-year-old firefighter died battling the blaze in an underground parking garage in the neighborhood of Seine-Saint-Denis to the north of the city.
The Interior Ministry noted that "an investigation is underway" to ascertain what caused the blaze.
It was unclear whether there was a direct connection between the flames and the unrest that has wracked France for nearly a week. Darmanin did not specifically mention the riots as a cause of the fires.
"Last night, while battling multiple fires in Saint-Denis, a young (fire brigade) corporal died," Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu tweeted.
Transport Minister Clement Beaune added, "My thoughts go out to the public servants mobilized day and night for a return to calm."
On Sunday, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stated that the French government is not currently considering implementing a state of emergency in the country, despite ongoing violent protests which have led to thousands of arrests.
The French President was forced to delay a state visit to Germany on Saturday, citing the ongoing situation in the country which authorities have largely failed to contain.
Fires, anger, and hundreds of arrests.#France has been witnessing violent protests across its cities triggered by the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old driver by police.#FranceProtests pic.twitter.com/shxF0nCV1I
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 30, 2023
The French Interior Minister confirmed in a Twitter post on Sunday that 719 people are detained overnight and 45 police officers have been injured amid protests taking over the country.
The cold-blooded murder of Nahel M. by French police officers in Nanterre has exposed deep division within French societies. The event sparked ablaze a fire that holds within it decades' worth of resentment felt by minorities in France toward authorities.
The protests have also angered the right in France, criticizing Macron's government for its inability to deal with the situation and leading to clashes between white French citizens and protesters in Paris.
