French police sniper accidentally fires gun during Hollande speech

Two lightly injured from gunfire; president unhurt, continues address

French President Francois Hollande (2nd L) meets employess as he attends the inauguration of the new "Sud Europe Atlantique" (South Europe Atlantic) high-speed rail line, linking Tours and Bordeaux, on February 28, 2017, in Villognon, central France.  AFP PHOTO / Yohan BONNET
French President Francois Hollande (2nd L) meets employess as he attends the inauguration of the new "Sud Europe Atlantique" (South Europe Atlantic) high-speed rail line, linking Tours and Bordeaux, on February 28, 2017, in Villognon, central France. AFP PHOTO / Yohan BONNET

A French policeman accidentally fired his weapon Tuesday, slightly injuring two people at an event where French President Francois Hollande was speaking in southwestern France, an informed source said.

Hollande was inaugurating part of a high-speed rail line in Villognon, in the Charente region, when the accident occurred, the source said.

He said the policeman, a gendarme helping to provide security for the president, had inadvertently set off the gun.

“The bullet grazed one person’s calf and then lodged in another person’s leg,” he said, adding that the victims were in a VIP area at the time.

Firefighters evacuated them but said their injuries were “light.”

Hollande continued his speech after the incident, witnesses said.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.