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French police sniper shoots two in error at Hollande speech French police sniper shoots two in error at Hollande speech
(35 minutes later)
A French police sniper has accidentally shot and injured two people during a speech by President Hollande. A French police sniper has accidentally shot and injured two people during a speech by President Francois Hollande in western France.
Mr Hollande was inaugurating a new stretch of railway in the town of Villognon in western France when gunfire was heard. 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.
A waiter and a worker attending the event were slightly wounded, one in the ankle the other on the leg, according to local media. The bullet went through the canvas of the tent, where drinks were being prepared. It passed through a waiter's thigh and lodged in a another person's calf.
One local report said the safety catch was unlocked and the gun discharged. The injuries were not life-threatening.
The shot interrupted the speech for a few moments, but reports say there was no panic. 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."I hope it's nothing serious. I think not," Mr Hollande said as he paused his address to ask whether anyone had been hurt.
Officials say the lives of the injured - the head waiter of a local hotel and an employee of a railway maintenance company - are not in danger. 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.A judicial investigation has been launched.
The marksman is based with a special protection unit in nearby Poitiers, officials say. He was positioned on a roof some 100m (328ft) from the marquee where the inauguration ceremony was taking place.