Mulhouse: Teenager loses eye during cost-of-living protests

A 17-year-old girl has suffered permanent blindness in her left eye following a protest against the cost of living in Mulhouse on October 17. Despite emergency surgery, the injury is irreversible, according to the local prosecutor, Nicolas Heitz.

The demonstration, which drew approximately 1,000 participants, turned violent in the afternoon. Authorities reported that a group of about 400 individuals attempted to forcibly enter the local railway station, prompting law enforcement to use smoke canisters to secure the area. Protesters also reportedly targeted shops and public property, and some directed fireworks at police officers.

The prosecutor has opened an investigation into aggravated violence and has referred the case to the Metz branch of the Inspection Générale de la Police Nationale (IGPN) to determine the exact circumstances of the injury. Officials noted that the investigation will be complex due to the large number of people present and the difficult nature of the crowd control operations.