LONDON — A suspect was arrested late Saturday night in connection with an arson attack on a synagogue in southern France, according to French officials.
The attack targeting the synagogue of La Grande-Motte, a popular seaside resort town along the southern French coast some 90 miles west of Marseille, at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday, was under investigation as an act of terror by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, authorities said.
French foreign minister Gérald Darmanin said in a statement on X shortly after midnight Sunday local time that investigators had caught a suspect and implied that there may have been a firefight prior to their capture.
French police stand guard after cars were set on fire in front of the city’s synagogue, in La Grande-Motte, France, Aug. 24, 2024.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
“Thanks to the police, and mainly the RAID (elite tactical national police unit), who intervened with great professionalism despite his gunshots,” he said.
Additional details about the suspect weren’t immediately released.
The prosecutor’s office said two cars were set on fire on the grounds of the synagogue, one of which contained a gas bottle, causing an explosion.
One police officer was injured by the explosion, authorities said. Two additional ignition locations were found at the two doors of the synagogue where there were five people inside, including the rabbi, none of whom were injured.
People stand by the entrance to the city’s synagogue, after cars were set on fire in front of it, in La Grande-Motte, France, Aug. 24, 2024.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that ‘in the face of antisemitism, in the face of violence, we will never let ourselves be intimidated.”
French scientific police members work near the city’s synagogue, after cars were set on fire in front of the synagogue, in La Grande-Motte, France, Aug. 24, 2024.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
“An attack targeted the synagogue of La Grande Motte this morning. An antisemitic act. Once again, our Jewish fellow citizens are being targeted. I extend my full support to them in this new ordeal,” Attal said. “We are at their side. Recognition to the firefighters for their mobilization. Solidarity with the municipal police officer injured in the attack. I have been informed that the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has taken charge of the investigation. Security forces are currently hunting the suspect. We will not give up. In the face of antisemitism, in the face of violence, we will never let ourselves be intimidated.”
The investigation into the attack is active and remains open.