A traveller community in southeast France launched violent protests while inmates at a jail in the region rioted Tuesday after authorities refused a request for prison leave, concurring sources said, reports GlobalPost.
The incident occurred less than two months after a similar flareup involving travellers, and prime minister Manuel Valls demanded a firm response.
The local traveller community in the Alpine town of Moirans had requested temporary leave for two jailed members so that they could attend the funeral of someone who had died in an accident last weekend while riding in a stolen car.
But a judge apparently turned down the request, the local town hall and prosecutor's office said.
Members of the community then blocked off a road, set fire to several cars and ransacked the restaurant at the town's train station, the town hall.
The authorities brought in 120 police and 100 firefighters to Moiran, who brought the situation under control in the early evening without casualties, officials said.