French police sniper shoots two in error at Hollande speech

World 10:08 01.03.2017
A French police sniper has accidentally shot and injured two people during a speech by President Francois Hollande in western France.
 
The shot was fired as the officer moved position on a roof about 100m (328ft) from a tent where Mr Hollande was speaking in the town of Villognon.
 
The bullet went through the canvas of the tent, where drinks were being made. It passed through a waiter's thigh and lodged in another person's calf.
 
The injuries were not life-threatening.
 
Mr Hollande was inaugurating a new stretch of railway when a gunshot was heard. He interrupted his speech for a few moments but reports say there was no panic.
 
"I hope it's nothing serious - I think not," Mr Hollande said as he paused his address to ask whether anyone had been hurt.
 
The president later visited the injured - the head waiter of a local hotel and an employee of a railway maintenance company.
 
One local report said the safety catch of the sniper's weapon had been unlocked, allowing the gun to be discharged accidentally.
 
Local government chief Pierre N'Gahane said a judicial investigation had been launched.
 
Asked if the officer had fired accidentally, he was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying: "Yes, without doubt."
 
The marksman is based with a special protection unit in nearby Poitiers, officials said.
Insights from Ex-U.S. Ambassador: Georgia Crisis, Peace Talks, & COP29's Global Role - VIDEO

News line

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Pakistan
19:26 18.05.2024
Pakistan Climate Youth Leaders Roundtable in Islamabad: Empowering Youth to Lead Climate Diplomacy
19:00 18.05.2024
Cole Palmer wins Premier League Young Player of the Season award
Cole Palmer wins Premier League Young Player of the Season award
18:28 18.05.2024
Dabney Coleman: TV and film actor dead at 92
Dabney Coleman: TV and film actor dead at 92
18:00 18.05.2024
Trump: Greatest fear is Biden will steal election
16:50 18.05.2024
Israeli strikes in Jabalia kill 15
16:23 18.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attend inauguration of Zangilan Mosque
15:58 18.05.2024
Germany's Saarland sees flooding after heavy rain
Germany's Saarland sees flooding after heavy rain
15:35 18.05.2024
Hamas says it rejects any military presence on Palestinian land
15:11 18.05.2024
Zelenskyy wants China at Ukraine peace talks, cites ‘influence on Russia’
14:48 18.05.2024
Azerbaijan appoints Major General Namig Islamzade to post of Air Force Commander
Azerbaijan appoints Major General Namig Islamzade to post of Air Force Commander
14:25 18.05.2024
Azerbaijani police found 43 automatic weapons, 3 pistols, 8 rifles in Khankandi city
13:55 18.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lays foundation stone for Buyuk Marjanli, Karkhulu and Sariqalli villages of Jabrayil district
13:36 18.05.2024
37,583 hectares in Azerbaijan's liberated territories have been cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance - VIDEO
13:27 18.05.2024
Azerbaijan, Cuba discuss COP29-related issues
13:00 18.05.2024
Price of Azerbaijani oil nears USD 85
Price of Azerbaijani oil nears USD 85
12:17 18.05.2024
Azerbaijani presidential aide meets with US national security advisor
11:59 18.05.2024
US, Iran held indirect talks this week on avoiding more attacks
11:00 18.05.2024
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Belarus visit Shusha - UPDATED
10:35 18.05.2024
Leadership of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense met with military officials
10:18 18.05.2024
Croatia gets third government led by pro-EU PM Plenkovic
Croatia gets third government led by pro-EU PM Plenkovic
09:00 18.05.2024
Azerbaijan and Armenia have historic chance for peace, says German FM
21:05 17.05.2024
Israeli forces recover bodies of three formerly believed hostages
20:40 17.05.2024
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko concludes his state visit to Azerbaijan
19:55 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan’s Combined Arms Army holds seasonal maintenance of all types of weapons and equipment -VIDEO
19:25 17.05.2024
Russian army seizes 12 settlements in Kharkiv
19:01 17.05.2024
Slovak PM undergoes another surgery
18:45 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan reveals number of prevented early marriages over last year
Azerbaijan reveals number of prevented early marriages over last year
18:30 17.05.2024
Director General of UN Office expressed satisfaction with Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29
Director General of UN Office expressed satisfaction with Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29
18:10 17.05.2024
Spain, several other EU countries postpone recognition of Palestine
Spain, several other EU countries postpone recognition of Palestine
17:50 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General held bilateral meetings in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General held bilateral meetings in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
17:45 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan set to gain from increase in oil prices since start of 2024 -UN
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan set to gain from increase in oil prices since start of 2024 -UN
17:33 17.05.2024
Brazilian president will not attend peace summit on Ukraine
17:22 17.05.2024
Russia is not currently planning to capture Kharkiv, says Putin
17:01 17.05.2024
Zelensky signs law allowing some convicts to serve in Ukraine's army
16:33 17.05.2024
Azerbaijani MFA congratulates Norway on Constitution Day
Azerbaijani MFA congratulates Norway on Constitution Day
16:00 17.05.2024
Insights from Ex-U.S. Ambassador: Georgia Crisis, Peace Talks, & COP29's Global Role - VIDEO
15:39 17.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev and President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Jidir Duzu plain
14:23 17.05.2024
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Belarus visit Shusha
13:50 17.05.2024
Slovak PM Fico between life and death after shooting, Hungary PM says
13:27 17.05.2024
Hamısı