A French man deliberately drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on Oleron Island off the Atlantic coast on November 5, injuring five people, officials said. Witnesses reported that the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” when arrested by police.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the motive for the attack on the quiet island, popular with summer tourists, remains unknown. The suspect, 35, is not on any radicalisation watchlist.
«This morning, starting at 8:40, an individual driving his vehicle went on a journey during which he deliberately hit several people on bicycles or on foot,» Nunez said. «Five people were hit during his journey, which lasted about 35 minutes.»
Local Fisherman Identified
The suspect, a local fisherman, lives on the island, according to the mayor of Dolus-d’Oleron, Thibault Brechkoff. Two victims were seriously injured, including the parliamentary assistant of a far-right National Rally lawmaker. Initial reports of nine victims were later revised down to five.
The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office is not currently handling the case, which remains under the local prosecutor in La Rochelle. Local lawmaker Olivier Falorni told reporters that authorities are considering multiple possibilities, including a personal dispute, a political motive, a religious attack, or mental instability.
Past Criminal Record
Investigators are also examining the suspect’s mental health. He is known to police for minor offences, including drunk driving and drug-related crimes. Junior minister Marie-Pierre Vedrenne confirmed he has no history with security services.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack to determine the motive behind the man’s deliberate actions on the island.
Kursiv also reports that a 32-year-old British man has been identified as the sole suspect in a mass stabbing on a train in England that left 11 people injured.
