Insights

35-year-old driver arrested in possible terror attack

Local media has reported that at least one person has been killed and another injured, after a car struck two people in Marseille. French police said the driver drove on to the pavement in the Croix-Rouge area north of the city at about 8.15am, hitting and injuring one person. An hour later, the same vehicle crashed into a second bus shelter in the Valentine arrondissement, killing one person. The 35-year-old driver involved has been arrested by French authorities, with police commenting that it is not yet clear if the car was deliberately driven into the shelter or whether it was an accident. Police have advised all those to avoid the old port area, particularly the Charles Livon Boulevard, in the immediate term as security operations are ongoing.

The crash comes as France remains on high alert following a series of terror attacks over the past two years. Recently, Islamic State (IS) supporters have used trucks. vans and cars to cause carnage in several French cities and towns, including nearby Nice on Bastille Day last year. On 17 August 2017, 13 people were killed and at least 100 others injured, after an IS-linked individual drove a van into tourists in Las Ramblas, Barcelona. There are fears that the driver of the van has fled to France as he has still not been located in Spain. Vehicles have also been used as weapons in Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park.

It is advisable to be aware of the serious threat of Islamic extremism and terrorism in Western countries. Take care in densely populated tourist areas. Report any suspicious packages, activity or behaviour to the local authorities and remain vigilant.