WEB DESK: A man intentionally drove his vehicle into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Île d’Oléron, resulting in injuries to at least 10 individuals, several of whom are reported to be in critical condition. The incident occurred off the west coast of France and prompted a swift police response.
According to authorities, a local man in his mid-30s was detained after police used a stun gun to immobilize him. The suspect reportedly targeted multiple people across different locations on the island, including a young girl, before abandoning his car and attempting to ignite it. He then fled the scene on foot.
The mayor of Dolus d’Oléron, Thibault Brechkoff, confirmed that the attacker drove through the villages of Dolus d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, causing chaos until his arrest outside a bakery. Witnesses described witnessing a series of disturbing events across several areas on the island.
The public prosecutor for La Rochelle, Arnaud Laraize, stated that the suspect was known to police and that during his arrest, he shouted “Allahu Akbar.” Investigators found gas canisters in the back of the vehicle, suggesting an intent to set the car on fire.Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that an investigation has been launched into the incident and is currently underway. The attack took place around 8:45 a.m. local time (7:45 GMT).
