Video shows moment Anadolu Agency fotog shot

By Fahri Aksut

PARIS (AA) - The moment Anadolu Agency's photojournalist Mustafa Yalcin was shot covering protest in the French capital was captured on mobile phone video, the Turkish news agency said Friday.

Yalcin was wounded Thursday during clashes between police and demonstrators protesting a controversial plans for pension reform.

Video footage show police firing a tear gas canister on protesters to disperse the crowd and a few seconds later, screams can be heard and one person emerges from the chaos drenched in blood.

The shot pierced Yalcin's gas mask causing an eye injury.

The crowd can be seen calling for help to talk him to a hospital where he underwent a six-hour operation.

Doctors reported he was kept under medical observation at the hospital.

Thursday saw one of the biggest strikes in recent French history.

Strikers continued their protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension plans Friday.

The Interior Ministry said 806,000 people took part in protests, while labor unions put the number at nearly 1.5 million in which police used smoke bombs to disperse crowds.

The "unlimited" strike impacted all public transport systems, according to local media reports.

Workers the Parisian public transport operator announced plans to continue striking through Monday, leading to major problems in the capital.

Airlines were told again Friday to reduce flights above France by 20%, meaning further cancelations affecting again all flights in, out or above France.

Rail unions will also continue striking, so service on public rail operator SNCF trains was reduce 90% beginning Thursday.