Following an apparent deliberate vehicle attack on pedestrians in the French city of Caen, in the Normandy region, two Afghan nationals have been killed and nine others injured. The incident took place on Wednesday evening, August 26, near the city’s train station.
According to the French newspaper Le Monde, the incident followed a confrontation near Caen railway station. Police said the driver had been assaulted by several people at the Port of Caen before leaving the area. Moments later, he returned to the vicinity in his vehicle.
According to police, after returning, the driver entered a bus-only lane and deliberately drove his vehicle toward people gathered near a bus stop. A number of people were struck in the attack, resulting in two fatalities.
One of the victims, a 35-year-old man, died at the scene. The second victim, a 28-year-old man, was taken to hospital but later succumbed to the severity of his injuries. French police confirmed that both victims were Afghan nationals.
Nine other men were injured in the incident. According to information released by authorities, the injured individuals are between 17 and 35 years old, and seven of them are reportedly in critical condition. The injured include nationals of France, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Sudan.
French police have arrested a 26-year-old Russian man in connection with the attack. The suspect fled the scene following the incident but was later identified and arrested by police in the port town of Ouistreham, approximately 20 kilometres from Caen.
French authorities have so far provided no further details regarding the precise motive behind the attack. Investigations into the circumstances of the incident and the suspect’s motive are ongoing. Police are also examining whether the confrontation that preceded the incident was connected to the driver’s subsequent actions.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
