Five people were injured, two of them seriously, after a man drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Île d’Oléron on Wednesday. The suspect reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while being arrested by police.
The 35-minute assault unfolded along routes linking Dolus-d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, the island’s main town. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that five people were struck before the suspect was apprehended. Police subdued the man using a stun device after he set his car on fire. Several gas canisters were discovered inside the vehicle, according to prosecutors in La Rochelle.
The attacker has been identified as a 35-year-old resident of La Cotinière with a history of minor crimes and drug-related offenses. Local reports say he told investigators that he had “self-radicalised online” about a month ago. Authorities are now examining whether this claim can be verified.
The La Rochelle prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation on charges of attempted murder. National anti-terrorism prosecutors have not yet taken over the case, although they are monitoring developments closely. According to Reuters, there are currently no confirmed links between the suspect and known terrorist organizations.
Interior Minister Nunez described the incident as “deeply troubling” and said investigators were exploring all possible motives, including religious radicalisation and mental health issues. He added that France remains vigilant against “isolated individuals inspired by online extremism.”
Security forces have increased patrols in several regions following the incident. Local authorities have also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators.
This case has renewed attention on the threat of online self-radicalisation. French security agencies have warned that digital platforms continue to play a significant role in spreading extremist content to vulnerable individuals.
According to experts, the rise of self-radicalised attackers presents new challenges for law enforcement. These individuals often act alone, leaving little trace of communication or coordination that would trigger traditional counterterrorism alerts.
France has experienced several vehicle-ramming incidents in recent years. The most devastating occurred in 2016, when an extremist drove a truck through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86 people. Since then, isolated acts involving vehicles have continued to appear sporadically across the country.
While the investigation continues, the Île d’Oléron attack highlights how rapidly online extremism can manifest into real-world violence. Authorities will now seek to determine whether ideology, psychological instability, or a combination of both drove the suspect to act.
The French government is expected to review its strategies for monitoring online content and identifying individuals at risk of radicalisation before such attacks occur again.