Yellow Vest protests in Paris turned violent on Saturday in front of the National Assembly, with one protester losing a hand amid reports of other casualties.
In the midst of tear gas and baton charges, one protester lost a hand in horrific circumstances.
The cause of the injury has not been confirmed but eyewitness claim he picked up a tear gas grenade that exploded in his hand?
Police say he is being treated in hospital.
Brief clashes erupted on the Champs-Elysees between protesters and law enforcement with the latter reportedly using batons and pepper spray.
A car, motorbikes and multiple trash bins were set ablaze as the protest moved toward the city’s Invalides monument but France’s Interior Ministry said this week’s protest was significantly smaller than last week’s.
Police said 17 demonstrators had been arrested as scuffles broke out between protesters and police near the Champs-Elysees Avenue and the National Assembly. The protest march is due to end up near the Eiffel Tower.
The protests – which were originally against the rise in diesel costs – have turned into a general discontent against French President Emmanuel Macron and high living costs.
Various events are also planned in other cities, including Montpellier, Lille, Nantes, Rennes, Brest, Caen and Lorient.
