France opened an attempted murder investigation after petrol bombs were thrown at security forces during protests in Paris on Saturday, as footage of an officer engulfed in flames sparked outrage.

More than 320,000 people joined a third consecutive weekend of demonstrations against soaring living costs and deteriorating public services, with most events remaining peaceful. Clashes erupted in Paris and other cities as several hundred rioters attacked police with projectiles, including Molotov cocktails, according to the Paris police prefecture.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the investigation for “attempted murder of persons vested with public authority” after a homemade incendiary device exploded at the feet of a gendarme, engulfing his lower body in flames. The officer, whose protective gear melted, suffered second-degree burns, while 13 members of his unit were injured, according to RTL. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, prosecutors said.

Authorities reported 779 arrests nationwide and 159 injured law enforcement officers. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the “extraordinary” level of violence, attributing the attacks to far-left extremist groups. In Paris, four police officers and one gendarme were injured, with three suffering burns from petrol bombs.

The protests, which began in September with student-led school blockades over education conditions, have since expanded to include unions and the "Yellow Vests" movement, united by grievances over rising living costs and public service cuts. Organizers claimed nearly 500,000 participants, though official figures were lower. Student unions have called for further blockades and strikes this week, with a national walkout planned for Thursday.