GLOBAL – A 35-year-old French national was arrested on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, after deliberately ramming his car into multiple pedestrians and cyclists on the Atlantic island of Île d’Oléron, leaving at least nine people injured, with two in critical condition. The series of attacks, which occurred over a 35-minute period between the towns of Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron and Dolus-d'Oléron, began at approximately 11:00 AM East Africa Time (9:00 AM local time).

France's Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, who travelled to the scene, confirmed that an investigation for attempted murder is underway. He stated that five people were directly hit by the vehicle, including a 22-year-old woman who suffered severe trauma. Among the seriously injured was a parliamentary assistant for a lawmaker from the far-right National Rally party. Local officials reported that several other individuals were treated for psychological shock. Two of the most gravely injured victims were airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Poitiers on the French mainland.

The suspect, a resident of the island, was apprehended by gendarmes after he attempted to set his vehicle on fire. According to multiple reports, he resisted arrest and had to be subdued with a stun gun. The La Rochelle public prosecutor, Arnaud Laraize, told French media that the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” (Arabic for “God is Greatest”) during his arrest. However, Laraize and other officials have cautioned that the motive is not yet confirmed and the case is not currently being handled by anti-terrorism prosecutors, who are observing the investigation.

Local authorities, including Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron Mayor Christophe Sueur, confirmed the suspect was known to police for common-law offenses, including theft and issues related to alcohol and drug use. He was not on any government watchlist for radicalization. Investigators are exploring several possibilities, including mental health issues. French newspaper Le Figaro reported that gas canisters were discovered inside the suspect's vehicle.

Global Context and Regional Security

While there are no discernible links to Kenya or the East Africa region from this incident, it highlights a persistent global security threat. Vehicle-ramming attacks have become a common tactic for both organized terrorist groups and lone actors worldwide due to their simplicity and potential for mass casualties. This attack underscores the challenge faced by security agencies globally in identifying and preventing attacks by individuals who may not be on terror watchlists but are motivated by a complex mix of personal grievances, mental health problems, or recent radicalization. Kenyan security services, like their international counterparts, continuously monitor such trends as part of national counter-terrorism and public safety strategies.

The incident in France occurred amid a heightened state of alert across Europe concerning various security threats. In a separate development on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken addressed lawmakers about recent, repeated drone sightings that have disrupted air traffic at major airports, including Brussels and Liege. Francken characterized the professionally operated drone flights as a “hybrid threat” against Belgium, stating they pose a direct risk to national security and prosperity. Some European intelligence services have linked a wave of similar drone incidents across the continent to Russia, viewing them as a form of hybrid warfare intended to create instability without engaging in direct armed conflict. The Belgian government has scheduled a national security council meeting to address the drone disruptions.