Paris, Nov 5, (dpa/GNA) – A motorist known to have psychological issues deliberately hit several pedestrians and cyclists on an island off western France on Wednesday, authorities said.
The incident occured in the town of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, on Oléron Island, off the Atlantic coast near La Rochelle.
The 35-year-old driver reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar,” Arabic for “God is greatest,” upon his arrest.
Five people were hit, with two of them seriously injured, while others may have been affected but were not physically harmed, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said.
The man, already known to police for minor offences, was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder. The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office is monitoring the case but has not intervened. His motive remains unclear and will be determined as part of the investigation.
According to the gendarmerie, multiple traffic accidents involving a single driver occurred around 8:45 am (0745 GMT).
Mayor Thibault Brechkoff said all services were mobilized to manage the situation, and a crisis unit was set up.
Nuñez said the driver’s rampage lasted about 35 minutes. During his arrest, the man resisted and set fire to his car, forcing authorities to use a Taser.
The interior minister declined to comment on whether the incident is being treated as a terrorist attack, saying it is up to the judiciary to decide.
GNA