A tragedy struck the French city of Caen on Wednesday evening. According to authorities, the driver of a car intentionally drove into a group of people near the main train station. The latest reports indicate two deaths and nine injuries. Police apprehended the suspect after he fled the scene. Investigators are not currently working with a terrorist motive.

The car headed directly towards a group of people

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 26th, around 10:15 PM in the area in front of the train station in Caen, Normandy. According to David Clavière, prefect of the Calvados department, the car "intentionally" targeted pedestrians on a public road. The tragedy reportedly occurred shortly after a scuffle between several people near a local bar.

Initial reports spoke of one death and ten injuries, seven of whom were in critical condition. However, on Thursday morning, French media reported, citing AFP and the local ICI Normandie station, that another seriously injured person died after being transferred to the CHU university hospital in Caen. The death toll has now risen to two deaths and nine injuries.

The driver fled, police apprehended him in Ouistreham

The suspect left the scene after the impact. Police subsequently managed to locate and arrest him in the coastal town of Ouistreham, approximately 20 kilometers from Caen. He is a 26-year-old man born in Russia. According to the prefect, he was not on any intelligence agency watchlists, and police only knew him in connection with traffic violations. The man has been placed in police custody.

The investigation is being conducted by a specialized criminal unit of the Calvados department. French justice is investigating the case as murder and intentional violence with a weapon, with the car in this case being considered the weapon used. Police are also analyzing security camera footage to accurately reconstruct the movement of the vehicle and the events leading up to the collision.

Deputy prosecutor Philippe Leonardo emphasized that at this stage, there is nothing to suggest a terrorist motive, but the investigation is still in its early stages. The cause of the previous conflict and the driver's exact motive have not yet been officially disclosed.

gnews.cz - GH.