PARIS

The casualties from the use of pepper spray by the French police during Yellow Vest protests has risen, local media reported Friday.

According to French Mediapart website, 11 people were killed, five lost their hands due to use of grenades and 23 lost their eyesight.

Some 2,000 people were injured at the demonstrations. Of them 268 people suffered head injuries, 15 hand injuries, 64 body injuries, 26 back injuries and 106 leg injuries.

In addition, 95 journalists, 40 high school students and 30 volunteer health officers were injured in the demonstrations and 145 acts of insult and violation of press freedom by French police were recorded.

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said the National Police Investigation Unit (IGPN) launched 220 criminal investigations on suspicion of police violence against the demonstrations.

Yellow Vest protests began in November 2018 as a reaction to rising fuel costs which later turned into anti-government riots.

Some 8,400 people have been arrested since the beginning of Yellow Vest protests and about 2,000 were remanded in custody.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur