French police sniper mistakenly shoots twice during president Holland speech

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  • 43 minutes ago
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  • From the sectionEurope

President Hollande of France makes a speech in western France which was interrupted by shots accidentally discharged by a police sniper, 28 February 2017Image copyrightAFP
Image captionMr Hollande's speech was briefly interrupted by the gunshot

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 loud noise like a gunshot was heard. He interrupted his speech for a few moments, but reports said 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 was unlocked, allowing the gun to be discharged accidentally.
The marksman is based with a special protection unit in nearby Poitiers, officials said.
A judicial investigation has been launched.

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