Damage from riots in France amounts to $700 million

(Patria) - Damage from riots caused by the police killing of a teenager in France has resulted in an insurance bill of $715 million, AFP reported, citing insurance companies.

The government struggled with days of unrest after a police officer killed 17-year-old Nahel M. in a Paris suburb on June 27. Nahel had Algerian roots, and the killing reignited long-standing accusations of systemic racism in France.

There were 11,300 claims related to the riots, said the head of the France Assureurs federation, Florence Lustman, estimating the damage at 650 million euros. Last week, Lustman cited a figure of at least 280 million euros, emphasizing that many claims had yet to come.

Approximately one-third of the damage claimed from insurance occurred to the property of local authorities, France Assureurs said.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called on insurers to extend the deadline for claims.