A 14-year-old minor died in the city of Montpellier during riots in France following the match between the French national team and Morocco in the semifinals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. In addition, authorities have reported the arrest of approximately 250 people.
The authorities confirmed the fatal incident and assured that investigations are already underway:
A young man was violently run over by a hit-and-run driver in Montpellier on Wednesday night after the World Cup semi-final match. He was rushed to the hospital and died shortly after being treated. My thoughts are with his family and friends. The vehicle was found near the accident site and taken into custody. The police investigation is progressing rapidly under the direction of the prosecutor.
📣 Communiqué du préfet de l'#Hérault Hugues Moutouh ⤵️#Montpellier pic.twitter.com/Sc7L0jeNs7
- Préfet de l'Hérault 🇫🇷 (@Prefet34) December 14, 2022
250 detainees
French security forces report that they have arrested around 250 people across the country in connection with the post-match riots, according to official sources. In Montpellier, the city where the minor was run over, is where the most serious disturbances originated. Dozens of Moroccan fans clashed with police and supporters of the French national team by throwing firecrackers, launching fireworks and pieces urban real estate at them.
#FRAMAR on one side the Moroccan supporters on the other side the French supporters. Tirs de mortiers à plein régime pic.twitter.com/H3HI4xJFP5
- Midi Libre Montpellier (@MLMontpellier) December 14, 2022
In Paris, the National Police arrested 145 Moroccans in a riot on the Champs Elysées. In Lyon, there were also some minor altercations in the city center. According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Inséé), the Moroccan community represents 12% of the foreign population residing in France.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin thanked the 10,000 police officers and gendarmes deployed to ensure the safety of citizens and expressed his condolences to the family of the dead child:
Thanks to the 10,000 police and gendarmes mobilized yesterday. They allowed those who wanted to celebrate France's victory and Morocco's excellent performance to do so. Thoughts for the family of the young man hit by a driver in Montpellier.
Merci aux 10 000 policiers et gendarmes mobilisés hier. They have allowed those who wanted to celebrate France's victory and the very beautiful Moroccan parcours to do so.
Pensées pour la famille du jeune garçon renversé par un chauffard à Montpellier.- Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) December 15, 2022
