A series of coordinated attacks struck several prisons across France overnight, with gunfire and arson targeting facilities in Toulon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Valence, Nîmes, Luynes, Villepinte, and Nanterre.
In Toulon, gunmen armed with automatic rifles, including AK-47s, opened fire on the gates of the prison just after 1 a.m. Photos from the scene showed numerous bullet holes in the entrance and spent shell casings scattered on the ground.
No injuries were reported, and the attackers fled the scene.
In Agen, southwestern France, at least seven vehicles were set ablaze in a parking area outside the local prison.
Charred remains of the cars were still smoking by morning. Similar incidents involving vehicle fires and gunfire were reported at other correctional facilities throughout the night.
France’s justice union condemned the violence in a statement on social media, warning that attacks on prisons—symbols of state authority—are becoming increasingly bold.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed the incidents and announced he would visit Toulon in support of correctional staff.
“Prisons are facing intimidation attempts ranging from vehicle burning to automatic weapon fire,” Darmanin said. “The Republic is confronting drug trafficking head-on and is taking decisive action to dismantle criminal networks.”
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also responded, ordering increased security at all prisons and facilities housing correctional officers. “The State’s response must be implacable,” he said. “Those who attack prisons and officers must be prosecuted and held accountable.”
The attacks come amid a rise in drug-related violence in France, fueled by record levels of cocaine smuggling from South America.
Authorities recently reported a surge in drug seizures, with 47 tonnes of cocaine confiscated in the first 11 months of 2024—double the amount seized in 2023.
Officials have warned that the growing influence of drug gangs, particularly in cities such as Marseille, has reshaped France’s criminal landscape and contributed to a broader shift in the country’s political climate.
