A protester is in critical condition and 16 officers have been injured as police clash with thousands of people opposing plans for a new water reservoir in France.
An injured officer was flown from the scene by helicopter as police clashed with thousands of people opposed to plans for a large water reservoir in France.
Several people were injured in the clashes, which took place in the western rural district of Sainte-Soline.
A report by Sky News said that two protesters were seriously hurt, including one who is in critical condition after suffering a head injury, as well as 16 police officers, the local prefecture said.
One officer was evacuated by helicopter.
Police fired tear gas to repel some protesters who threw fireworks and other projectiles as they crossed fields to approach the construction area in the district.
At least three police cars caught fire, television footage showed.
The demonstrators, who have come together despite a ban on gatherings, are opposed to a large water reservoir for farm irrigation.
Around 3,200 police were deployed for the demonstration, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said, who blamed far-left groups for the violence.
The heavy police presence included helicopters and officers riding quad bikes.
Emmanuelle Dubee, the prefect of the surrounding region, said around 1,000 radical protesters were expected among an estimated 6,000 demonstrators.
France’s worst drought on record last summer – which was also felt across the UK and Europe – sharpened the debate over water resources in agriculture
Supporters say artificial reservoirs are a way to use water efficiently when needed, while critics argue they are outsized and favour large farms.
Similar protests erupted last October and resulted in injuries.
The unrest over the irrigation project comes after weeks of demonstrations in France against a pension reform that sees the retirement age rise from 62 to 64.
