Car attack on Oleron island injures 10, four seriously
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A 35-year-old man rammed his car into pedestrians and cyclists on Oleron Island, injuring 10.
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Investigators inspect the burned car after a motorist deliberately rammed pedestrians and cyclists across two neighboring towns on the Ile d'Oleron, Wednesday, November 5, 2025 (AP)
A 35-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after driving his car into pedestrians and cyclists on the French Atlantic island of Oleron, injuring 10 people, including four seriously, authorities said.
According to prosecutor Arnaud Laraize, the suspect, a resident of the island, “deliberately hit several pedestrians and cyclists” along a main road linking Dolus d’Oleron to Saint-Pierre d’Oleron.
Police subdued the driver using a taser as he attempted to set his vehicle on fire, a source close to the investigation said.
Upon his arrest, the man reportedly shouted “God is the greatest” in Arabic, Laraize noted. While the phrase is commonly used in Islamic religious expression, it has also been invoked by individuals involved in militant attacks. Investigators have not yet identified a clear motive.
The suspect was already known to police for minor offenses, and authorities are also examining the possibility of a psychiatric disorder. He is currently being investigated for suspected “attempted murder.”
Local officials confirmed the man’s residency on the island. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that he would travel to the area and speak to the press later on Wednesday.
France has experienced several deadly attacks over the past decade claimed by extremist groups. In 2016, a truck attack in Nice killed 86 people during Bastille Day celebrations, and the country will mark ten years next week since coordinated attacks on the Bataclan concert hall and other sites in Paris left 130 dead.
