French authorities have taken a driver into custody after a series of collisions that left several people injured on the island of Oléron in western France on Wednesday morning.

According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, the alleged attacks occurred along routes in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron and Dolus-d’Oléron.

In a statement shared on his verified X account, Nunez said two of the victims are in critical condition while three others sustained injuries.

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“This morning, a motorist struck several pedestrians and cyclists on his route in Saint Pierre d’Oléron and Dolus d’Oléron.

Two victims are in absolute emergency, and 3 other people are injured. The suspect has been taken into custody by the gendarmes. An investigation has been opened. At the request of the Prime Minister, I am heading to the scene,” Nunez said.

Local authorities described the incident as deliberate.

Christophe Sueur, the mayor of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, told French broadcaster BFMTV that the suspect appeared to intentionally target people during what he called a “deliberate act.”

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“The suspect intended to strike everyone he could meet,” Sueur said, according to a translation of his remarks.

He added that the driver “intentionally set fire to his vehicle” after the collisions.

Sueur said the man was known to local authorities for “not entirely normal attitudes and alcohol-related problems.”

The mayor’s comments were echoed by other officials who confirmed that the suspect had prior interactions with law enforcement.

The La Rochelle prosecutor’s office said the motive has not yet been determined, though it confirmed reports that the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” at the time of his arrest.

Nunez also confirmed the statement but said it represents only one part of a broader investigation into the driver’s behavior and intent.

Nunez said the suspect allegedly drove for approximately 35 minutes, striking a total of five people before being detained.

Among the injured is a 22-year-old woman who “suffered multiple traumas,” according to BFMTV.

Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals.

Authorities said two of the victims remain in “absolute emergency” condition, a term used in France to denote life-threatening injuries.

The Interior Ministry said additional police resources and forensic investigators have been deployed to the island to assist in reconstructing the driver’s route and identifying potential witnesses.

Nunez told reporters he is coordinating directly with the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Justice to ensure that investigators have access to all available evidence, including witness statements, surveillance footage, and traffic data.

As of Wednesday evening, the national gendarmerie confirmed the suspect remains in custody.

Prosecutors have opened a formal investigation into attempted homicide, with counterterrorism officials monitoring developments as new evidence is reviewed.

Local officials said the community is cooperating fully with law enforcement as authorities work to determine the motive and circumstances of the attack.

The investigation is ongoing.

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