Media: Masked group ransacks town hall in suburb south of Paris

A group of masked individuals broke into the town hall of Fresnes, a commune south of Paris, and ransacked the building, French daily Le Parisien reported.

According to the newspaper, around 20 people took part in the attack. The group reportedly fired fireworks at the building before forcing open the front door and damaging several rooms and pieces of furniture inside. No valuables or official documents were reported missing.

As they left the scene, the perpetrators smashed the window of a nearby driving school and stole a scooter.

The incident occurred shortly after municipal elections in which incumbent Mayor Marie Chavannon lost to Republican Party candidate Christophe Carli, who is expected to be formally confirmed as head of the local administration.

Carli expressed regret over the attack, thanked police for their swift response, and pledged to take necessary steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are continuing their inquiry.

By Sabina Mammadli