A car has been rammed into a crowd on the French island of Ile d'Oleron off the Atlantic coast on Wednesday, leaving two people in a critical condition and a further eight injured.
A 35-year-old man has been arrested by police with an investigation opened on the incident, which took place around 8:45am local time (7.45am GMT).
The suspect is said to have driven between two villages on the island, hitting and mowing down people, including a young girl, the mayor of Dolus d'Oleron, Thibault Brechkoff, told French television.
“No one has died and we are hoping that the injured will recover," the mayor added.
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Public prosecutor of La Rochelle, Arnaud Laraize, told Le Figaro: "At the time of his arrest, (the man) shouted Allah Akbar (Arabic for 'God is Great'). However, the motive is not confirmed and the investigation will have to determine it."
Sources close to the criminal investigation said that officers used an electric pulse gun to neutralise the motorist.
"It appeared to be a deliberate act,” the prosecutors’ office admitted. Anti-terrorism officials are understood to “not involved at this stage” and the suspect is not said to be known to counter-terrorism services.
The suspect is said to reside in La Cotiniere, a small fishing village around two miles from Saint-Pierre-d'Oleron.
France car ramming map graphic
French media report that the suspect attempted to set fire to the vehicle, already having a number of gas cylinders in his car, before fleeing the scene.
The suspect is said to be “known for his numerous transgressions, notably due to his regular consumption of drugs and alcohol," according to the Saint-Pierre-d'Oleron mayor, Christophe Sueur, who spoke to Le Parisien.
According to the gendarmerie and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, there are currently "about ten people involved".
"Of the ten, five are injured, three of them seriously," the gendarmerie said, explaining that the toll is still being finalised.
A car has been rammed into a crowd on the French island of Ile d'Oleron off the Atlantic coast on Wednesday, leaving two people in critical care and a further eight injured | GETTYThe victims, which are said to include pedestrians, were airlifted to the University Hospital of Poitiers. A parliamentary assistant to a local politican from the right-wing National Rally was also hurt in the incident, a party spokesman confirmed.
Interior minister Nunez took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, writing: "This morning, a motorist struck several pedestrians and cyclists on his route in Saint Pierre d´Oleron and Dolus d’Oleron.
"Two victims are in absolute emergency and 3 other people are injured. The suspect has been taken into custody by the gendarmes. An investigation has been opened.
"At the request of the Prime Minister, I am heading to the scene."
More to follow.
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