France opens attempted murder probe after protest attack

Paris prosecutors have launched an attempted murder investigation following a Molotov cocktail attack on security forces during a demonstration in the French capital. According to prosecutors, the explosive projectiles were aimed at around 15 gendarmes and police officers. The attack occurred at Porte de Charenton, the site of a march that concluded on Saturday.

Photographs and videos from the AFP news agency showed an incendiary device exploding near a gendarme's feet, setting his protective gear ablaze. Prosecutors reported injuries ranging from second-degree burns to tinnitus, though the specifics were still provisional at the time. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez labeled the incident as an attempted murder.

The Interior Ministry announced 779 arrests across the country during the protests and Halloween night, an update to the previous provisional total of 565. Authorities stated that the latter part of the night remained relatively incident-free. In the capital, Paris prosecutors reported 105 arrests: 88 related to the demonstrations and 17 to Halloween night.

As of now, 89 individuals remain in custody, with at least 22 minors among them. The protests centered around high living costs and government policies. The Interior Ministry estimated nationwide participation at 320,000, while unions suggested nearly 500,000 people took part. The overall arrest figure was lower than the 1,314 recorded during the previous Saturday's mobilization and fell short of the 2,628 arrests on October 17, when widespread rioting and looting took place.

Before Halloween, authorities had ramped up security in anticipation of potential violence following online calls for such action.