Two people were killed and around 10 others injured, several critically, after a driver deliberately rammed pedestrians near a railway station in the northern French city of Caen, authorities said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at around 10:10pm on Wednesday near Caen railway station, where a group of people had gathered at a bus stop, according to French media.
Calvados Prefect David Claviere confirmed that a vehicle had “deliberately drove into pedestrians” outside the station.
According to initial witness accounts, the suspect had been involved in a confrontation with a group earlier in the evening before returning in a car. He allegedly drove through the square, targeted people associated with the earlier dispute who were gathered beneath a bus shelter, and struck them before fleeing.
One person was initially reported dead and 10 others injured, including seven in critical condition. A second victim later died at Caen University Hospital.
Police tracked the vehicle using the city’s surveillance camera network and arrested the suspected driver near Ouistreham, about 20 kilometres from Caen. His vehicle was subsequently located in the nearby commune of Amfreville.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 26-year-old man born in Russia who legally resides in France. He was not known to intelligence services and had no criminal record, although he had previously been cited for traffic offences.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into murder and intentional violence involving a weapon, with the case assigned to Calvados’ organised and specialised crime division.
Authorities are not currently treating the incident as an act of terrorism, although investigators have said no possibility has been definitively ruled out.
In his initial statement to investigators, the suspect reportedly claimed that he had been assaulted outside the railway station earlier in the evening.