A driver drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on the western ile d’olééron, leaving 10 people, including many in critical condition.
A local man aged “about 30” was arrested at the scene after deliberately driving into people, said the Mayor of Dolus D’Oléron Thibault Brechkoff.
The man drove a long distance between two villages on the island, mowing down several people including a little girl, the mayor told French TV.
He eventually abandoned his car and tried to set it on fire before running away, Brechkoff said.
The public administrator for La Rochelle, Arnaud Laraze, said that the suspect was known to the police and he shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is” Akbar “(” God is the greatest).
The incident happened at 08:45 (07:45 GMT), according to local media.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that an inquiry was opened by the incident and he was on his way to the scene.