Police treating explosion in France as terrorist act

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- French authorities confirmed Saturday they are investigating an explosion at a synagogue as "attempted terrorist murder."

One police officer was injured in the explosion, which occurred in the southern seaside town of La Grande-Motte, around 16 miles southwest of Montpellier.

Witnesses reported seeing one person lighting a pair of vehicles on fire outside the Beth Yaacov synagogue between 8 and 8:30 a.m. local time Saturday.

Synagogues are typically busy Saturday mornings for observation of the Sabbath.

No suspects have been arrested or publicly identified. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of the police officer's injuries but did say they do not appear life-threatening.

French media outlets reported a man carrying a Palestinian flag and possibly a handgun was recorded on CCTV footage starting the fires, citing police sources.

French President Emmanuel Macron also called the explosions a "terrorist act."

"Thoughts for the faithful of the synagogue of La Grande-Motte and all the Jews of our country. Everything is done to find the author of this terrorist act and protect places of worship," Macron said on X in French.

"The fight against anti-Semitism is a constant battle, that of the united nation."

French officials were quick to react, ordering a heavy police presence into the area and in Jewish communities across the world.

"I want to assure our Jewish fellow citizens and the municipality of my full support and say that at the request of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, all means are being mobilized to find the perpetrator," Acting Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in French on X.

Darmanin and outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal were expected to travel to the scene Saturday.

France has the world's third-largest Jewish population of around 442,000, according to the Institute for Jewish Policy Research.