An explosion outside a synagogue in southern France wounded a police officer early yesterday, in what authorities said was being treated as a potential terror attack.
Security around Jewish sites was tightened following the early Saturday blast outside the Beth Yaacov synagogue in the seaside resort of La Grande Motte, near the city of Montpellier.
A fire was also started at the entrance of the synagogue, but was quickly put out, with two doors damaged, investigators said.
President Emmanuel Macron called the incident “an act of terror”.
Two cars outside the synagogue burst into flames after a gas canister likely exploded inside one of the vehicles, police said. The blast wounded a police officer, police said, without providing any other details.
La Grande Motte’s mayor, Stephan Rossignol, said that CCTV had picked up images of an individual setting fire to the cars.
The potential suspect seen in the footage was brandishing a Palestinian flag, a source close to the probe added.
Another source said that the man was carrying two empty bottles and had a Palestinian flag draped around his waist as left the scene on foot.
