AFP sorry for dead businessman story

FRENCH news agency AFP has apologised for an "unacceptable error" - after it wrongly reported that one of France's top entrepreneurs, Martin Bouygues, had died.

An urgent news alert was sent out at about 14.30 on Saturday afternoon and promptly withdrawn, after it emerged that there had been a mix-up.

An AFP journalist received a tip-off that the industrialist, who owns TF1 and Bouygues Telecom, had died in the Orne department - and asked a reporter in Rennes to check.

The local reporter called the mayor of a neighbouring village, who confirmed the death and gave details about the time and a quote about locals being shocked.

AFP global news director Michèle Léridon told France Info: "The only problem was they weren't talking about the same person. A Mr Martin had died and the mayor, who was suffering from shock, heard the journalist mention 'Martin' but not 'Bouygues'."

Ms Léridon said there was "insufficient" information and she has reminded reporters "that we're not out to get scoops on who's died".

The global news agency has begun an internal investigation, and issued a statement on Saturday night, saying: "We take this incident very seriously and are carrying out an investigation among editorial staff to understand how such an error could have been made.

"We offer our humblest apologies to Martin Bouygues, his loved ones, his group and all our clients."

Bouygues added in a statement that it "categorically denies that its chairman and CEO Martin Bouygues has died and deeply regrets that such a rumour has been allowed to spread".