A man suspected of intentionally driving his car into a crowd of pedestrians and cyclists reportedly attempted to set his vehicle ablaze. Police apprehended the suspect following an incident on the French holiday island of Saint Pierre d´Oléron, where more than 10 individuals were injured, including two in critical condition. The 35-year-old suspect allegedly yelled “Allahu Akbar” upon his arrest after his vehicle struck multiple people and cyclists on a road between two villages on the island’s west side.
Authorities swiftly captured the suspect shortly after the disturbing attack, resorting to using a Taser to subdue him as he resisted arrest. The police found the suspect in the act of setting fire to his car soon after the event, leading to his immediate transfer to the Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron police station. Reports indicate that the car only partially caught fire, and gas canisters were discovered inside the vehicle.
The detained individual hails from a village close to the site of the attack, with the mayor of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, Christophe Sueur, noting the suspect’s prior history of misconduct linked to substance abuse. This history prompted the police to initiate an attempted murder investigation in the aftermath of the distressing incident.
French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, shared preliminary details as an investigation was launched, confirming the motorist’s actions in striking pedestrians and cyclists in Saint Pierre d´Oléron and Dolus d’Oléron. Nuñez also mentioned the arrest of the suspect and his visit to the scene at the Prime Minister’s request.
Arnaud Laraize, the public prosecutor of La Rochelle, disclosed that the suspect had a history of substance abuse and mental health issues. Despite witnesses reportedly hearing the suspect uttering “Allahu Akbar,” the incident is not being treated as a terror-related act.
An eyewitness from the area described the harrowing moment when the vehicle collided with pedestrians, emphasizing the chaos and injuries caused. Ile d’Oléron, a popular tourist spot among UK holidaymakers, ranks as France’s second-largest island, measuring 19 miles long and 5 miles wide.
