Driver Shouts “Allahu Akbar” After Plowing Into 10 Pedestrians in France
A driver deliberately struck ten people during a violent rampage in western France on Wednesday, critically injuring four, according to reports.
Incident Details
The attack occurred just before 9 a.m. in the villages of Dolus-d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron on [translate: Île d’Oléron], an island off France's west coast, Le Parisien reported.
A male driver, identified as a French nationalist in his thirties and known to police for petty crimes, rammed his car into a crowd of pedestrians and cyclists.
Victims ranged in age from 22 to 67. Several, including two in critical condition, were airlifted to the University Hospital of Poitiers.
Driver’s Arrest and Statements
The unidentified driver was detained near the crash site as he attempted to set his car on fire. During his arrest, he shouted [translate: “Allahu Akbar”], local authorities reported.
“Multiple accidents occurred in Saint Pierre and Dolus,” Dolus-d’Oléron Mayor Thibault Brechkoff posted on Facebook. “They were caused by someone deliberately causing these accidents.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause and motive of the crash, examining whether the driver had psychiatric disorders or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Summary: A deliberate car attack in western France critically injured four people; the driver shouted “Allahu Akbar” during arrest, and authorities are investigating motives and mental health factors.