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French police sniper shoots two in error at Hollande speech | French police sniper shoots two in error at Hollande speech |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A French police sniper has accidentally shot and injured two people during a speech by President Francois Hollande in western France. | 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 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 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. | 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. | 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. | The marksman is based with a special protection unit in nearby Poitiers, officials said. |