Partygoers and police injured at an illegal rave in France as country prepares to lift curfews

A 22-year-old man lost his hand and several other people were also injured amid clashes as police tried to break up an illegal rave in western France, authorities said on Saturday.

Police repeatedly fired tear gas and charged at clusters of violent party-goers who hurled metal balls, petrol bombs and other projectiles, according to the top government official in the region, prefect Emmanuel Berthier.

Tensions erupted in a field near the Brittany town of Redon on Friday night, just two days before France lifts an overnight virus curfew that’s been in place for more than eight months.