Injured man in Paris protest

Ahmed Benmezroua, 25, was seriously injured in the right leg near Republic Square on Saturday, October 17. He was likely struck by a fragment from an explosive grenade fired by law enforcement forces.

Scene of the injury

A gutter filled with blood and a young man with a tourniquet on his leg being pushed quickly on a rolling table in a street in Paris. The image captured the immediate aftermath of the injury during the chaotic protest.

Public awareness and social media

Since October 17, images of Ahmed Benmezroua, 25, have circulated on social networks. Internet users were unaware of what had happened to him around 4:30 pm at Place de la République or what had become of him afterward.

Survival and medical condition

"I thought I was going to die": Ahmed, 25, had his femoral artery severed by a grenade in Paris. Still hospitalized, he survived almost by miracle, according to reports.

Broader context of injuries

Dozens of peaceful demonstrators were seriously injured by the police on Saturday, October 17. Mediapart collected testimonies from several of them, highlighting the widespread impact of the violence during the protest.