82 police officers injured in Paris clashes

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Police officers and youths clash with each other in Villiers-Le-Bel. Photo:EFE

Rioting in the tough suburbs of northern Paris took a dramatic and potentially deadly new turn with the use of firearms against police, officials said Tuesday.

Police unions said as many as 80 officers were hurt. Of the 82 injured officers, about 30 were fired at with buckshot, senior police union official, Patrice Ribeiro told The Associated Press.

The violence was triggered by the deaths of two teens in a crash with a police car Sunday in Villiers-le-Bel. The government appears keen to avoid a repeat of the 2005 violence. “We will not let go. We will fight with all the force the nation is capable of,” Prime Minister Francois
Fillon told firefighters in Villiers-le-Bel. He promised reinforced security measures for Tuesday night.