A motorist reportedly rammed his vehicle into several pedestrians and cyclists on the island of Oléron, off the western cost of France on Wednesday morning, leaving several seriously injured.
Several people were injured on Wednesday after a motorist “ran over pedestrians and cyclists with his car”, the French interior minister, Laurent Nuñez wrote on social media.
“Two victims are in critical condition, and three other people were injured. The suspect has been arrested by the police. An investigation is underway. At the request of the Prime Minister, I am going to the scene,” Nuñez wrote.
According to reports by the French press, a total of 10 people were injured. The incident occurred between the villages of Dolus-d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron.
It is not yet clear what the motorist’s motivation was, but initial reports by the French press said that the driver yelled “Allah Akbar” (“God is greatest”) before ramming the pedestrians.
At this stage, investigators are also considering the possibility that the individual may be suffering from a mental health crisis.
More information to come…
