A car was deliberately driven into a crowd on the French island of Ile d’Oleron on Wednesday morning, leaving two people in critical condition and eight others injured. The incident occurred around 8:45 AM local time, with authorities apprehending a 35-year-old male suspect who reportedly shouted “Allah Akbar” following the attack.
The driver allegedly targeted pedestrians, including a young girl, as he navigated between two villages. Ile d’Oleron Mayor Thibault Brechkoff stated that no fatalities were confirmed and expressed hope for the victims’ recovery. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez noted on social media that two individuals remained in critical condition, with three others injured. The suspect was taken into custody by gendarmes, and an investigation is ongoing.
La Rochelle Public Prosecutor Arnaud Laraize indicated the man’s statement of “Allah Akbar” during his arrest does not yet confirm the motive, emphasizing the probe will determine the circumstances. Reports suggest the suspect attempted to ignite his vehicle, which contained gas canisters, before fleeing. He has a documented history of substance abuse-related offenses.
Among the injured was a parliamentary aide to a regional National Rally (RN) figure, a political group opposed to mass migration. Several victims were airlifted to Poitiers University Hospital for treatment.
