Boy hit, killed by car as France celebrate World Cup win over Morocco; police searching for suspect

PARIS, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A suspect driving a car in the southern French city of Montpellier “violently hit” and killed a boy as crowds celebrated France’s victory in the World Cup semi-final, local authorities said.

The vehicle was found nearby but the driver fled the scene. Police are trying to locate the suspect and have opened an investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident, according to the Montpellier prosecutor’s office.

Video emerged on Twitter showing a car being driven dangerously near crowds in the street following the French national team’s Wednesday night win over Morocco.

The 14-year-old, whose name was not made public, was rushed to a hospital and died of his injuries, authorities said.

Elsewhere in France, crowds in Paris and other cities erupted in shouts of joy as France – which has a large Moroccan community – advanced to the World Cup final. The displays were relatively restrained.

In the capital of neighboring Belgium, which also has a sizeable Moroccan community, about 100 people were detained late Wednesday after soccer fans shot fireworks at police and damaged cars in the center of Brussels, police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere said. — NNN-AGENCIES