French police officer dies in anti-drugs operation in Avignon
A 36-year-old police officer has died after he was shot during an operation against drug dealers in the centre of the south-east French town of Avignon on Wednesday.
AA French police officer has been shot dead in the city of Avignon during an anti-narcotics operation announced prime minister Jean Castex, reports FRANCE 24.
Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said several officers had been shot at during the raid and one had been killed.
"The police officer has died. We think of the family and his colleagues during this terrible drama," Darmanin said on his Twitter account, adding that he would go to Avignon on Wednesday evening.
The shooter is on the run in Avignon, a police union source said. BFM television reported that the shooter had fled the scene on a kick scooter.
Police union official Vincent Dath told Reuters the officer was shot during a raid on a well-known drug-dealing spot.
