PARIS, FRANCE – Ten people were injured, with four seriously, after a man deliberately drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on the French Atlantic island of Île d'Oléron on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The incident, which occurred along a road connecting the towns of Dolus-d'Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, is being investigated as attempted murder, according to La Rochelle's public prosecutor, Arnaud Laraize.

The suspect, a 35-year-old French national and resident of the island, was arrested by gendarmes after he attempted to set his vehicle on fire. Authorities used a stun gun to subdue him. During the arrest, the man reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar," Arabic for "God is greatest." However, Prosecutor Laraize stated that the motive remains unclear and the case has not, at this stage, been taken over by France's anti-terrorism prosecutor's office, which is observing the investigation.

Suspect Known to Police, Motive Unclear

Official sources confirmed the suspect has a criminal record for minor offenses, including theft, drink-driving, and drug-related crimes. He was not on any national security watchlists for radicalization. Investigators are considering the possibility of mental health issues playing a role in the attack. An alcohol test on the driver returned negative results, a local police spokesperson confirmed.

Christophe Sueur, the mayor of Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, told BFM-TV that the suspect was "well-known" for problematic behavior and issues with alcohol. Sueur added that the front of the car was "completely torn off," suggesting the driver "was fully aware of what he was doing."

Victims and Official Response

The attack unfolded over a span of about 35 minutes on Wednesday morning, with the first emergency calls being made around 9:00 AM local time (11:00 AM EAT). The number of injured has been consistently reported as ten, with four seriously wounded. Some initial reports cited five or nine injured. Two of the most seriously injured victims were airlifted to a hospital in Poitiers on the mainland. Among the seriously injured is a parliamentary assistant to Pascal Markowsky, a local Member of Parliament for the National Rally party.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez traveled to the island, confirming an investigation for attempted murder was underway but that it was not being treated as a terrorist act. He commended the first responders for their swift action in arresting the suspect and aiding the victims. Local mayors established a crisis unit to manage the situation.

Global Context, No Direct Kenyan Link

While there is no discernible direct link to Kenya or East Africa from the available information, the incident occurs within a global context of rising concerns over vehicle-ramming attacks as a tactic used by individuals for various motives, including terrorism and personal grievances. Such events highlight the vulnerability of public spaces and the ongoing security challenges faced by nations worldwide. The investigation by French authorities will be closely watched internationally to understand the perpetrator's motivations and to inform preventative security measures globally. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.