Lyon: A young woman has a finger torn off during a fight in a shopping center

A violent altercation broke out on Saturday, August 15th at the Westfield La Part-Dieu shopping center in Lyon. During the fight, a 24-year-old woman allegedly bit her rival's finger, tearing off a phalanx.

A scene of unprecedented violence unfolded in the heart of France's largest shopping center. On Saturday, August 15th, a fight broke out between two young women at the Westfield Part-Dieu shopping center in Lyon's third arrondissement.

One of them bit the other woman's finger so hard that she tore off a phalanx. This information was reported by our colleagues at Le Progrès.

A fight broke out for reasons still unknown.

Many shops in the shopping center remained open despite the public holiday. Outside, the sweltering temperatures drove Lyon residents to seek some respite from the heat. Many took advantage of the mall's air conditioning to escape the oppressive heat for a few hours.

A typical summer Saturday at the shopping center took an unexpected turn. Sometime in the afternoon, a fight broke out between two 24-year-old women who apparently knew each other. The reason for their dispute remains unknown.

A violent altercation brought under control by security

Contacted by our colleagues at Le Progrès, the management of the Westfield La Part-Dieu shopping center confirmed the events. "The situation was immediately brought under control by our security teams, in coordination with the law enforcement officers present on site. One person was arrested," the management stated, before adding: "We are fully cooperating with the authorities."

The suspect was immediately taken into custody for violence resulting in mutilation or permanent disability. Her custody was extended on Sunday, before her court appearance on Monday, at which point she was imprisoned pending trial.