A 14-year-old student has been detained after two teachers were shot with a shotgun at a middle school in the south of France, as protests against the country's education system continue. The attack occurred this morning at Joseph-Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, near Marseille.
The 53-year-old head teacher was shot in the right hip, and a 37-year-old teacher was shot in the thigh after a bullet ricocheted. A source said: "A 14-year-old teenager has been detained on suspicion of firing the shots. Emergency workers are at the scene. The injured principal and teacher have received medical attention, and their lives are not in danger."
Minister confirms attack
France's education minister, Édouard Geffray, confirmed the attack on X, posting: "Two staff members from the National Education system, a principal and a teacher, were victims this morning of gunshot wounds at Lakanal middle school in Aubagne." He added: "A student is said to be the perpetrator. I am heading to the scene immediately with the Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez."
Geffray continued: "In the face of this new attack, the National Education system will, as always, remain united and strong, around an educational community sorely tried. But this unacceptable act bears witness once again to the spread of unbridled violence in our society, against which we must all mobilise. In words as in deeds."
Violence and protests
The shooting follows at least two weeks of violence, which has also seen a 15-year-old schoolboy lose his left hand when a police grenade exploded during the youth riots. A graphic video posted online last week showed the aftermath of the accident near the Béhale high school in Lens, in the north of the country.
Protestors are fighting for at least £9 billion to be put into the education system to combat dilapidated classrooms and teacher shortages. There have been almost 7000 arrests linked to the trouble as lycées – schools for 15 to 18-year-olds – as buildings are torched. Student unions have called for another national day of demonstrations on Tuesday, and it could be joined by other worker groups.
