At least four people sustained minor injuries after being struck by a car during a climate march in Clermont-Ferrand in central France on Saturday, according to the local prosecutor’s office.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time as demonstrators were marching through the city in the Puy-de-Dôme department. The suspect, a 37-year-old man, was reportedly impatient with traffic slowdowns caused by the march and attempted to force his way through the crowd despite the presence of numerous pedestrians walking peacefully, the prosecutor’s office said.
Driver Fled Before Arrest
The driver did not stop after striking the participants, despite several attempts by bystanders to halt the vehicle. Police officers who were monitoring the march intercepted and arrested the suspect, placing him in custody.
Initial tests indicated that the driver had consumed drugs, according to authorities.
Investigation Underway
An investigation has been opened for “intentional violence with a weapon.” The prosecutor’s office stated that a terrorism motive has been ruled out.
The injured individuals were transported by emergency services to the university hospital in Clermont-Ferrand. “At this stage, the injuries appear to be minor,” the prosecutor’s office said.
The demonstration was temporarily halted following the incident but later resumed with a modified route through the city center.
