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French police bust up large rave

Rachel BossmeyerAAP
A man lost a hand in clashes as French police tried to break up an unauthorised rave party.
Camera IconA man lost a hand in clashes as French police tried to break up an unauthorised rave party. Credit: AP

Fierce clashes have broken out between partygoers and police trying to break up an illegal rave in north-western France, resulting in several injuries, including a man who lost a hand.

The hours-long violence erupted after about 1,500 people defied coronavirus restrictions against an outdoor rave Friday night in the small town of Redon, in Brittany.

Around 400 police officers responded to the scene. The situation soon deteriorated, with people throwing Molotov cocktails, boule balls and rocks at the security forces, local prefect Emmanuel Berthier said on Saturday.

The clashes lasted more than seven hours. Several people were injured, including 11 gendarmes and a young man who lost one of his hands, Berthier said.

Five people were taken into custody, news agency AFP reported, citing the prosecution in Rennes.

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According to Berthier, the situation had calmed by Saturday morning. In the evening the area was completely cleared.

The prosecutor's office has initiated investigations.

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