Man dies in Marseille after being hit by a shell during riots

Marseille was Saturday's hottest spot. Photo: AFP

French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the death of a 27-year-old teenager. a man hit by a shell during Saturday's riots, Marseille's prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The riots have caused chaos in France after the death of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk, who was shot at by police during a traffic stop, sparked unrest across the country. country within a few days.

Prosecutors said the probable cause of death in Marseille was a hard blow to the chest from a stun gun fired by riot police, but did not specify who fired or who owned the weapon. The impact led to cardiac arrest and sudden death.

The man died on the night of July 1-2, while Marseille was engulfed in riots and looting, but prosecutors said they could not determine where the man was . when he was shot or whether the victim was involved in a riot.

The hottest spot on Saturday was in Marseille, where police fired tear gas and fought street battles with youth in the city center until late at night.

French riot police stand guard in Marseille. Photo: AFP

Ball guns are designed for non-lethal riot control use and do not penetrate the skin, but their use by police in France has been disputed as the projectiles have resulted in loss of eyes, head injuries and other injuries.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with hundreds of French officials on Tuesday to begin exploring the “deeper reasons” for the country's plunge into unrest.

Meeting at the Élysée Palace in Paris with more than 300 mayors whose municipalities have suffered during the week violence occurred as unrest across the country subsided.

Protesters flee from tear gas canisters during clashes with police in Marseille. Photo: AFP

“Is this a permanent return to calm? I will be careful, but the peak we have seen in previous days has passed,” Macron said, according to one participant.

Almost 4,000 arrests have been made since Friday, including more than 1,200 minors. , according to the Ministry of Justice.

Mr Macron has proposed fining the parents of the children involved.

“As for the first crime, we need to find a way to financially and easily punish the families. ”, he said, according to comments published in the Parisien newspaper.