A vehicle has crashed into a terrace outside a restaurant in the town of Fontainebleau, near Paris, injuring several people. Police and emergency crews are at the scene, while a female driver has been detained.
Footage on social media shows police cordoning off an area not far from the Palace of Fontainebleau, once an iconic residence of French kings. One photo shows a black car in the middle of a restaurant terrace, with chairs scattered around it.
Videos suggest emergency services have been evacuating the injured with the help of helicopters.
Initial reports said three people were injured in the incident, but French media later reported that at least six had been hurt.
? ALERTE INFO – Voiture dans une terrasse à #Fontainebleau : la suspecte est inconnue des services de police, mais est susceptible d’être connue pour des problèmes psychiatriques à #Melun. (BFM) #SeineetMarnepic.twitter.com/bcUVhV9EnX
#Fontainebleau Nous vous invitons à éviter le secteur Poste/Carrousel en raison d’un accident survenu un peu plus tôt. Une intervention de la police et des pompiers est en cours. La situation est sous contrôle. Merci de ne pas gêner leur travail. pic.twitter.com/g5Uvw61O0n
Mayor Frederic Valletoux said the situation was “under control” and asked the public not to interfere in the rescue efforts.
Valletoux told BFM TV that the driver was a woman. She was arrested and has apparently been taken to hospital for psychological assessment. “She was in shock and didn’t speak; she was crying,” the mayor said. “During their first conversation, police officers didn’t succeed in getting any information out of her.”
?? Les secours sont actuellement déployés sur place, et un périmètre de sécurité a été mis en place.Pour l’instant on parle d’un geste “suicidaire” de la part de la conductrice… #Fontainebleau#Paris#Francepic.twitter.com/CauNghJ7JA
Reports in the media said the driver was unknown to police and may have been suffering from a mental illness.
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