French police sniper shoots two by mistake during Hollande speech

French President Francois Hollande. Photo / AP file

A police sharpshooter has accidentally wounded two people as French President Francois Hollande was giving a speech in the south-west of France a police source says.

The shooter was on a roof about a hundred metres from a tent where Hollande was speaking in Villognon.

During a change of position his gun fired accidentally, the source said.

A loud noise like a gunshot is heard on video footage of the President's speech.

"I hope there is nothing serious," Hollande said, then looked to his left and said, "I don't think so".

The shot wounded two people in their legs; the injuries were not life-threatening, a prefect of police for Charente region Pierre N'Gahane told BFM- TV.

- AAP