A driver deliberately drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on the holiday island of Île d’Oléron, located off the west coast of France, resulting in four people sustaining critical injuries. Authorities report that the suspect, a local man in his mid-30s, was arrested after being subdued with a stun gun. The incident spanned a considerable distance between the villages of Dolus d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, affecting several individuals, including a young girl, according to the mayor of Dolus d’Oléron, Thibault Brechkoff.
Following the collisions, the driver abandoned his vehicle, set it on fire, and fled the scene. Public prosecutor Arnaud Laraize noted that the suspect has a prior history with law enforcement and was heard shouting “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) at the time of his arrest. He is presently being detained in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron on suspicion of attempted murder; however, French anti-terror authorities have not taken over the investigation.
Île d’Oléron, known for being a popular vacation spot, is the second largest island in metropolitan France, following Corsica, and it is connected to the mainland via a road bridge. In response to the incident, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that an inquiry has been initiated and indicated plans to visit the area. The events transpired around 08:45 local time (07:45 GMT), and reports suggest that a gas canister was discovered in the back of the suspect’s vehicle after it was ignited. Witnesses indicated that the incidents unfolded at multiple locations across the island, culminating near a bakery.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c205z4963vyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss