PARIS — Rioters burned cars, attacked a tramway and shot at police in the French city of Grenoble overnight in protest at the death of a local man fleeing police after allegedly holding up the city’s casino.

Interior minister Brice Hortefeux was to travel to the southeastern city yesterday to monitor events, his office said.
The violence began around midnight on Friday and lasted through the night in the poor suburban neighbourhood of Villeneuve, home to the alleged robber.

Police said they intervened after local residents stopped a tramway by setting a fire on the rails and stoned it. Some 30 cars were burned and police said they were shot at once and returned fire. No casualties were reported.

The trouble followed a hold-up in a casino in nearby Uriage-les-Bains by two armed men in the early hours of Friday.
Police said the duo fled with 20 000-40 000 euros and were chased by police.— Reuters

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