French police sniper injures two in accident at Hollande event

A policeman providing security for Francois Hollande accidentally fired his gun as the French president was giving a speech, injuring two people in the VIP area of the crowd, an official said.

Hollande was speaking in the town of Villognon in central France to mark the opening of a high-speed railway line between Paris and Bordeaux when a police marksman accidentally opened fire.

The safety catch on the officer’s rifle was reportedly off and the shot was fired when he tripped while adjusting his position.

"It was an accidental shot by a police officer which injured two waiters, or at least one waiter and an (event) employee. The injuries aren't life threatening," local government chief Pierre N'Gahane said.

"The bullet grazed one person's calf and then lodged in another person's leg," he said, adding that the victims were in a VIP area next to where Hollande was speaking.

The officer, who was helping to provide security for the president, was standing on an elevated point, N'Gahane said.

He made a "mistake in handling while changing positions", an informed source told AFP news agency.

Video from the incident shows Hollande halting his speech after a bullet shot is heard in the background, with the president saying, "I hope there's nothing serious" and holding his hands up to the crowd.

But a few seconds later he says "I don't think so" and resumes talking about the railway project.

The victims were treated at the scene in a separate area from where the French president was speaking, before being taken away by firemen, who confirmed the injuries were minor.

N'Gahane told reporters that neither victim was in danger and that an investigation had been opened.