French police within the southern metropolis of Montpellier sought the motive force who struck and killed a 14-year-old boy celebrating France’s World Cup victory earlier than fleeing the scene.
Video on social media confirmed a white hatchback surrounded by followers which speeds away when somebody tears down a flag hanging out of its rear window.
“The driver violently left the road of vehicles and hit a 14-year-old boy,” who later died of his accidents at a hospital, the native prosecutors’ workplace mentioned.
The automobile was discovered deserted close by, and the police investigation is “progressing quickly”, it mentioned.
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The tragedy marred France’s victory over Morocco to succeed in the championship’s finals, with most celebrations throughout the nation good-natured although with scattered incidents of unrest.
“Aymen’s demise has plunged us right into a terrifying ordeal,” the boy’s household mentioned in a press release printed at its request by metropolis authorities in Montpellier.
“We name for full calm and specific our confidence within the police and judiciary,” it mentioned.
The accident occurred within the Paillade district, one of many poorer areas of Montpellier, whose Mayor Michael Delafosse tweeted that he hoped “the individuals who carried out this terrible act are discovered and placed on trial”.
Local MP Nathalie Oziol expressed “immense disappointment, a sporting occasion ends in absolute tragedy”.
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Around 10,000 police had been deployed throughout France for the match, as authorities nervous about potential tensions between French supporters and people backing its former North African colony.
Around 100 arrests had been made in and round Paris earlier than 1:00 am on Thursday, police mentioned, and dozens of others had been detained in cities together with Lyon and Avignon.
