LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE – A 35-year-old man deliberately drove his car into at least ten pedestrians and cyclists on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, on the French tourist island of Île d'Oléron, leaving several people with critical injuries. The suspect, a local resident, was arrested by police and is being investigated for attempted murder, according to La Rochelle's public prosecutor, Arnaud Laraize.

The series of attacks occurred around 8:45 AM local time (10:45 AM EAT) along a road connecting the villages of Dolus-d'Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron. Witnesses reported the vehicle striking people at multiple locations over a period of about 35 minutes. After abandoning his vehicle, the suspect attempted to set it on fire before being apprehended by police, who used a stun gun to subdue him. Local media reported that a gas canister was found inside the car.

While the suspect reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greatest" in Arabic) at the time of his arrest, France's national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has not taken charge of the case, and investigators are exploring multiple motives. Prosecutor Arnaud Laraize stated the motive was not immediately clear. Authorities have indicated they are also investigating the possibility of mental health issues.

Suspect Known to Police

The suspect, a French national, was known to law enforcement for prior offenses, including theft, drink-driving, and drug-related incidents, according to multiple officials. Christophe Sueur, the mayor of Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, described the suspect as being "well-known... for problem behaviour, for problems with alcohol." However, he was not on any national security watchlist for radicalization.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who traveled to the island, confirmed that the attack was deliberate and that an investigation for attempted murder was underway. "An individual deliberately drove his car into several people in his path, some on foot, and some on bicycles," Nuñez stated during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Victims and Local Impact

Official reports on the number of injured have varied, but most sources confirm at least ten people were wounded, with between two and four in critical condition. The victims were transported to hospital, some by helicopter. Among the seriously injured is a parliamentary assistant for Pascal Markowsky, a local Member of Parliament for the National Rally party.

The Île d'Oléron is metropolitan France's second-largest island after Corsica and a popular holiday destination, connected to the mainland by a bridge. The attack has shocked the local community. "We are extremely shocked," Thibault Brechkoff, the mayor of Dolus-d'Oléron, told BFM-TV, confirming a crisis unit had been established to manage the situation.

Global Context of Vehicle Attacks

While this incident is currently being handled as a local criminal investigation rather than a terrorist act, it occurs within a broader context of vehicle-ramming attacks that have plagued Europe for years. These attacks, requiring little technical skill or resources, have been employed by both organized terror groups and individuals with various motivations. One of the most devastating was the 2016 attack in Nice, France, where a man drove a 19-tonne truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing 86 people in an act claimed by the Islamic State group.

For Kenya and the East Africa region, which rely heavily on tourism, the continued use of vehicles as weapons in public spaces serves as a stark security reminder. Protecting so-called "soft targets" like pedestrian areas and tourist hotspots remains a global challenge. This incident in France underscores the persistent threat of attacks that can be carried out by individuals with readily available means, regardless of their specific ideology. The investigation into the Île d'Oléron attack will be closely watched for insights into the perpetrator's motives and whether it signals any new trends in such violent acts.