Politics Suspected terrorism after explosion outside synagogue in southern France

Following the explosion outside a synagogue in La Grande-Motte in the south of France, the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation. The authorities confirmed this to the German Press Agency in Paris. According to acting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, the search is still on for the perpetrator.

In the morning, two cars were initially set on fire in front of the synagogue near Montpellier. A gas cylinder exploded in one of the vehicles, according to a spokesman for the gendarmerie. One police officer was injured. No one in the building was injured.

Two doors of the synagogue were also set on fire. It is unclear whether this happened before or after the explosion.

France's acting Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin ordered an immediate increase in the presence of security forces outside Jewish places of worship. He wrote on X of an "apparently criminal attempted arson". He expressed his full support for the Jewish community.

Premier Attal spoke on X of an anti-Semitic act. "Once again, our Jewish fellow citizens have been targeted."

Yonathan Arfi, chairman of the umbrella organization of Jewish organizations in France, Crif, wrote that the explosion took place at a time when the arrival of worshippers at the synagogue could be expected. It was not just an attack on a place of worship, but an attempt to kill Jews.

Prime Minister Attal and Interior Minister Darmanin are expected to arrive at the scene of the attack this afternoon.