Body of teen found in boot of burning car in southern France

A teenager was found shot dead in a burning car Wednesday with a garbage bag over his face, in the latest drug-related killing in southern French city Marseille, prosecutors said.

The victim was described as a 17-year-old involved in drug trafficking, the Marseille public prosecutor’s office said.

Marseille, France’s second-largest city but also one of its poorest, is plagued by drug-related violence.

Firefighters were called to the burning car shortly before 4:00 am (0200 GMT) Wednesday. After extinguishing the blaze, they discovered a lifeless body in the boot of the vehicle.

He had a gunshot wound to the head, was bound at the knees and ankles and had his face covered with a garbage bag.

A murder probe has been launched.

The victim is the second minor to be killed this year in France’s second-largest city.

In early May, a 17-year-old teenager was shot dead in a housing estate.

And last week a 19-year-old was shot dead in the north of the city.

A total of 49 people were killed in drug related violence in Marseille in 2023, compared with nine so far this year.
From July 26, France is preparing to host the Olympic Games in Paris, and some of the events will be held in Marseille.