16 injured in French military show
Monday, 30 Jun 2008 08:28
Military demonstration in France leaves 16 people injured
A military demonstration in France has left 16 people injured after real bullets were used instead of blanks.
The exercise involving hostage-freeing techniques took place at military barracks in Aude, south-east France, on Sunday.
Four people are said to be in a critical condition, including one young child.
The soldier who fired the real rounds has been detained but it's unclear at present why the wrong ammunition was used.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy released a statement expressing his shock at the incident and called for an official investigation.