LIVE. Explosion and fire in front of the synagogue of La Grande-Motte: criminal lead, police officer injured, Darmanin expected… what we know

Un incendie devant la synagogue Beth Yaacov.

This Saturday, August 24, around 8:30 a.m., an explosion was heard near the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte. Arriving at the parking lot of the religious building, the Hérault firefighters, the gendarmes of the local brigade and the municipal police discovered several vehicles on fire.

The essentials:

An explosion was heard this Saturday, August 24, around 8:30 a.m., near the Beth Yaacov synagogue. Several burning vehicles were discovered on site. According to the Minister of the Interior, the criminal track is favored. Gérald Darmanin will go to the scene this afternoon. 10:44.

The Prefect of Hérault also on site

“I denounce in the strongest terms the events that took place this morning at the synagogue in La Grande Motte. I have asked the police and gendarmes to strengthen the security of Jewish interests in the department. I am going to the scene,” he said in a press release on an X.

Je dénonce avec la plus grande fermeté les faits qui se sont déroulés ce matin sur la synagogue de la Grande Motte. J’ai demandé aux policiers et aux gendarmes de renforcer la sécurité des intérêts juifs dans le département. Je me rends sur place. pic.twitter.com/dj6Ixruqk5

— Préfet de l'Hérault 🇫🇷 (@Prefet34) August 24, 2024

10:41.

A gas bottle found in one of the burned cars

According to the gendarmerie, a gas bottle was found in one of the burned cars.

10:37.

Gérald Darmanin expected on site

The Minister of the Interior will go to La Grande-Motte this afternoon. ” An attempted arson attack, clearly criminal, hit the synagogue of La Grande Motte this morning” , he reacted on X.

10:35.

A municipal police officer injured

According to BMTFV, a municipal police officer was injured during his intervention. Bomb disposal experts are currently on site.