Police in France are searching for a masked protester who burned a woman’s face with a makeshift flamethrower.
Protests began in the Paris region in late September before spreading to cities across France.
Students are demanding more teachers, better-funded schools and action on overcrowded classes and run-down facilities, as well as long timetables and pressure surrounding the university admissions system Parcoursup.
Shocking footage showed the woman engaged in a tug-of-war with masked protesters wielding a barrier, before a hooded individual clad from head to toe in black pressed the nozzle of an aerosol spray in front of a lighter, creating a makeshift flamethrower.
He directed it at the woman’s face from close range as onlookers screamed. He walked away shortly after.
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The incident was filmed near Place du 4 Septembre in Marseille, France, yesterday as protests intensified.
The woman who was attacked reportedly filed a complaint in Marseille earlier today, and her friends have called for witnesses to come forward.
A statement read: ‘This morning, we were waiting for the bus when, all of a sudden, among the high-school students, some stupid girls took the metal barrier and started trying to smash up the bus shelter.
‘My friend tried to stop them, blocking them and talking to them. She was violently attacked, and one of them burned the left side of her face by spraying her with a spray and using a lighter.
‘Fortunately, there were no serious burns (first-degree burns). The firefighters and gendarmes intervened. Anyone who witnessed what happened, please contact me privately.
The statement added: ‘Especially the woman wearing the black vest – she was the only person who intervened before they fled. I hope the CCTV camera was working.’
The movement is largely made up of secondary school pupils aged 15 to 18, with university students now joining in some areas.
While most of the demands centre on education, some demonstrations have descended into clashes, vandalism and fires.
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