Several critically hurt on Ile d’Oléron in France after driver rams into pedestrians

Ten people were injured, many of them in critical condition, when a driver crashed his car into pedestrians and cyclists on Ile d’Oléron on the west coast of France.

Dolus d’Oléron mayor Thibault Brechkoff said “around 30” local men were arrested at the scene after deliberately driving into people.

The man traveled a distance between two villages on the island and mowed down several people, including a young girl, the mayor told French television.

Brechkoff said he eventually abandoned his vehicle and tried to set it on fire before fleeing.

La Rochelle prosecutor Arnaud Laraize said the suspect was known to police and shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is the greatest”) when he was arrested.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that an investigation was launched into the incident and that he went to the scene.

The incident occurred around 08:45 (07:45 GMT) and according to local reports, gas canisters were found in the back of the suspect’s car, who tried to set the vehicle on fire.