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Île d’Oléron Car Rammings Leave Five Injured as Police Detain Local Suspect

Investigators are treating the case as attempted murder, with anti-terror prosecutors not taking over as officials say the motive remains unestablished.

Overview

  • Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the driver targeted pedestrians and cyclists over roughly 35 minutes, injuring five people, two of them seriously.
  • The 35-year-old island resident was tasered and arrested after trying to set his car on fire, and he shouted "Allahu Akbar" during detention, according to the prosecutor.
  • Authorities say the suspect was known for petty offenses and alcohol and drug problems and was not listed as radicalised by intelligence services.
  • The collisions occurred between Dolus-d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, with helicopters flying the gravely hurt to Poitiers and a local crisis unit activated.
  • Reports that gas cylinders were in the vehicle are being verified, and a National Rally parliamentary assistant was among the injured, party and officials said.