A vehicle deliberately plowed into a group of pedestrians near the Caen train station in Normandy on Wednesday evening, leaving at least one person dead and ten others injured, four of them critically, according to sources close to the investigation.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. local time near a tram stop and bus shelter adjacent to the station. Witnesses described a black German-made car accelerating into people waiting in the area before fleeing the scene.
Suspect Arrested in Coastal Town After Manhunt
Police launched an immediate search and arrested the driver in Ouistreham, a coastal commune approximately 15 kilometers north of Caen. The suspect has been identified as Ibrahim I., a 26-year-old man born in Russia. Authorities have not yet released his full surname.
According to initial reports from BFMTV, a dispute inside a nearby bar may have preceded the attack, though investigators are still working to establish a definitive motive. The local prefect traveled to the scene shortly after the incident, and the entire neighborhood was cordoned off by law enforcement.
Victims Reportedly Foreign Nationals
Police sources indicated that the majority of the victims are foreign nationals, including individuals of Afghan, Egyptian, and Bangladeshi origin. Emergency services treated the wounded on site before transporting the most seriously injured to local hospitals.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Caen, a city of roughly 100,000 residents known for its medieval history and as the resting place of William the Conqueror. Local authorities have urged the public to avoid the area around the train station while the investigation continues.
Investigation Underway
A criminal inquiry has been opened to determine the precise circumstances of the attack and whether it was premeditated. Counterterrorism prosecutors have not yet taken over the case, suggesting that investigators are currently treating the incident as a possible act of isolated violence rather than a coordinated terrorist operation.
The suspect remains in police custody. Authorities have not disclosed whether he has any prior criminal record or known extremist ties.
This is a developing story. Further details will be provided as they become available.
