Marseille: Outrage after the Broadcast of a Video Showing a Child Shooting at Firefighters
Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône) - A wave of indignation has swept across social networks after the broadcast of a shocking video showing a very young boy, aged 13 or 14, deliberately shooting firefighters with fireworks mortars. The incident, which occurred in the northern districts of Marseille, has been widely shared although the precise date of the sequence remains unknown.
The Shock Scene
The video, which went viral in a matter of hours, shows the young boy preventing firefighters from intervening on garbage fires, lit to create barricades by a group of youths. When the firefighters arrive, the teenager decides to shoot at them, forcing them to retreat. Another individual, filming the scene, repeats several times “No, not the firefighters”, without however physically intervening to stop the teenager.
Teenagers fired mortars at firefighters responding to a call in the Frais Vallon district of Marseille. pic.twitter.com/nVOBwnLe4P
— Cpasdeslol (@cpasdeslol_X) July 15, 2024
Consequences and Reactions
This serious incident highlights a worrying situation in many neighbourhoods where young people, often under the age of 15, are defying authority with impunity. Firing fireworks at firefighters can cause serious injuries or even be fatal, putting the lives of emergency services at risk.
Local authorities and emergency services have expressed deep concern over the rise in violence and the lack of respect shown towards emergency services. The Marseille fire brigade commander said: “Our teams are risking their lives to protect the population. Seeing such behaviour is not only alarming but also unacceptable.”
This case has rekindled the debate on the measures to be taken to protect emergency services and guarantee security in sensitive neighbourhoods. Many voices are calling for a firm response from the public authorities and a strengthening of educational actions for young people to prevent such acts of violence in the future.