French officials said Tuesday that several prisons have been targeted by incidents involving firearms and arson in what they described as a response to the government's new efforts to combat drug trafficking, the AP news agency reported.
In the latest incident, an automatic weapon was used on a prison in the southern French port city of Toulon on Monday night. No one was injured. Elsewhere, cars were set on fire outside prisons.
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on the social network "X" that "attempts have been made to intimidate staff in some prisons." He added that measures against drug trafficking will greatly hinder criminal networks. He described the recent attacks as terrorist.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau wrote on the "X" network that he has instructed authorities and police to increase security measures to protect prison staff.
Attacks on prisons have also been reported in the Paris region and Marseille.
The Secretary of the National Union, Wilfried Fonck, has stated that it is something that is organized, coordinated and aimed at terrorizing prison staff.
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Attacks on several prisons in France last night
French authorities have decided in recent months to step up efforts against drug trafficking, with a focus on cocaine, which the Interior Minister has described as a "tsunami" that is flooding the country.
47 tons of cocaine were seized in 2024, more than double the previous year's total.
