Twelve French police personnel wounded after protests against high-speed rail project

As many as twelve police personnel were wounded on June 17 in clashes with demonstrators in France's Savoie department where a protest against a high speed rail project in the Alps turned violent, authorities said.

Some 2,000 protesters, including a roughly 300-strong dark-clad hardcore, were in the Maurienne Valley objecting to construction of a rail link including a tunnel between Lyon and the Italian city of Turin, Reuters reports.

They threw rocks at riot police, who responded with tear gas, and one demonstrator was wounded, local prefect Francois Ravier told a news conference.

The Association Les Soulevements de la Terre contested that figure in a Twitter post late on June 17 and said 50 demonstrators were wounded, including six who were hospitalised.

"The day is not over, we remain prudent and mobilised," said Ravier, noting a security presence would go through the night.

Interior minister Gerald Darmanin tweeted the police injury toll. Border checks turned up 400 objects, like knives and hammers, while 96 individuals known by security services were sent back to Italy, the officials said.