FranceLink

France riots lead to Bastille Day fireworks ban

The French government issued a decree on Sunday prohibiting individual use of  'pyrotechnic articles' for the July 14th celebrations that mark Bastille Day, in a move that follows the use of fireworks as weapons against police during recent widespread riots.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

To support Mediapart subscribe

France has banned the sale, possession and transport of all fireworks during the upcoming Bastille Day festivities, reports BBC News.

The government issued a decree on Sunday prohibiting "pyrotechnic articles" for the 14 July celebrations that mark France's national day.

The move comes after rioting sparked by last month's police killing of 17-year-old Nahel M by police in Nanterre.

However, the ban does not apply to official firework displays organised by local authorities.

"In order to prevent the risk of serious disturbances to public order during the 14 July festivities, the sale, carrying, transport and use of pyrotechnic articles and fireworks will be prohibited on national territory until 15 July inclusively," said the edict, published in the French official gazette.

Fireworks were a popular weapon during the week of unrest, which included some of France's worst urban violence for almost 20 years.

And even in normal times, events in public squares and streets on the evening of Bastille Day have often been disrupted in previous years by young people throwing firecrackers.

Read more of this report from BBC News.