LONDON and PARIS — A driver was taken into custody after allegedly placing and injuring pedestrians and cyclists “intentionally” in a number of areas on an island in southwestern France, the inside minister mentioned.
5 folks have been run down by the car, together with two in important situation and three others reasonably injured, Laurent Nunez, the minister, instructed reporters at a briefing.
A 22-year-old girl, a type of in important situation, was out jogging on the time she was hit, Nunez mentioned.
French gendarmes work close to the burnt automotive utilized by a driver who rammed into pedestrians and cyclists in Saint-Pierre-d’Oleron on the touristic French island of Ile d’Oleron, off the Atlantic coast, France, Nov. 5, 2025.
Stephane Mahe/Reuters
The suspect, who has not been publicly recognized, was mentioned to have deliberately drove into bicycle lanes to strike a few of the cyclists, mentioned Christophe Sueur, the mayor of Saint-Pierre d’Oleron.
“He had the intention of intentionally hitting each individual he may some throughout along with his automotive,” Sueur mentioned in an interview broadcast on French channel BFMTV.
The suspect was tased by police as a way to subdue him, Nunez mentioned. He was recognized to police and had been convicted of comparatively minor legal offenses, Nunez mentioned, including the suspect was not recognized to French intelligence and never referred to as somebody who was radicalized.
The strikes appeared to have been alongside a “route” by Saint Pierre and Dolus, two villages about 4 miles aside on the island of Oleron, Nunez mentioned. The island, which is off the Atlantic coast, is a well-liked trip vacation spot.
The assault lasted about 35 minutes in whole, Nunez mentioned.
The suspect allegedly tried to set his automotive on fireplace when it got here to a halt. French media and worldwide wire companies have revealed movies and pictures of investigators working round a burnt-out car, a few of which included what gave the impression to be a canister generally used for propane or fuel.
French gendarmes work close to the burnt automotive utilized by a driver who rammed into pedestrians and cyclists in Saint-Pierre-d’Oleron on the touristic French island of Ile d’Oleron, off the Atlantic coast, France, Nov. 5, 2025.
Stephane Mahe/Reuters
Two of those that have been struck by the car have been in critical situation and at the least three others have been injured, Nunez mentioned.
Sueur, within the broadcast interview, mentioned the injured ranged in age from 22 to 69. Some have been taken to native hospitals through helicopter, he mentioned.
Officers didn’t instantly launch particulars in regards to the driver or a possible motive. The suspect was recognized to police, in line with BFMTV.
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor is watching occasions however, for now, is just not formally concerned, in line with native media.
