According to local media Républicain Lorrain and Ici Lorraine , a fight broke out in Metz city centre in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Two groups of youths were involved in the brawl, which started before 6am on Place de la République. Among the participants was a 19-year-old man who was beaten and left unconscious by his attackers.
He was rushed to Mercy hospital as a matter of urgency, and was said to be in critical condition. One newspaper reported he was "in braindead condition", while another participant who tried to defend him was left with minor injuries.
The public prosecutor confirmed that three individuals aged between 19 and 27 had been arrested following the incident.
