Ten people have been injured with three in a serious condition after a driver mowed down several people with his vehicle in the early hours of this morning.
The incident happened at Oléron, an island in France. The suspect, a male French national with no prior criminal record, was arrested and taken into custody. Several victims were airlifted to the University Hospital of Poitiers.
At around 9.30am, the vehicle struck several people between two villages on the Île d’Oléron, Dolus-d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron. Ten people, pedestrians and cyclists, were seriously injured. Two of them were taken to the hospital in critical condition, according to Le Parisien. According to initial reports, the driver shouted “Allahu Akbar” before mowing down several people.
However, this information currently remains unconfirmed. Investigators are said to be exploring the possibility that the driver suffered from psychiatric disorders.
It’s reported the suspect tried to set fire to the vehicle before being taken into custody. Gas cylinders were found in his car with only one reportedly partially caught fire.
According to information from Le Parisien, he is a French national in his 30s, not listed in the file of reports for the prevention of radicalization leading to terrorism (FSPRT). The mayor of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, Christophe Sueur, told Le Parisien: “He is known for his numerous transgressions, notably due to his regular drug and alcohol use.”
The first incident is said to have involved a vehicle and a pedestrian near the Intermarché supermarket in Dolus-d’Oléron, with the second involving a pedestrian occurring on Route du Treuil in the same town. The driver is then alleged to have struck a cyclist on Rue de la Cure in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, and then a second cyclist on Rue des Godillons. Another accident also occurred on Route d’Arceau, in the same town.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
In a message posted on X, the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, said he would go to the scene today “at the request of the Prime Minister”.
This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.
You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.
Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.
Follow Daily Star on Android – CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Apple – CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Snapchat – CLICK HERE
You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.
Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/thedailystar.