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Calvados prefect David Clavière detailed a heavy toll from the incident that unfolded around 10:15 p.m. near the train station in the Normandy city where a vehicle drove deliberately into a group on the public roadway. Clavière who visited the scene reported one fatality along with seven people in absolute emergency and three others in relative urgency. The prefect confirmed that surveillance camera footage was under review as part of the active investigation.
A police source told AFP that the suspect fled the scene before his arrest in Ouistreham roughly 20 kilometres away. The 26-year-old born in Russia is not known to intelligence services though he has a prior record limited exclusively to traffic offenses according to Clavière. A top local security official told AFP that all victims appeared to be men ranging in age from 17 to about 40.
The ramming followed a fight that had broken out in a nearby bar local media and police sources reported. Witnesses indicated the deceased was an 18- or 19-year-old Afghan national according to accounts carried by both Le Parisien and RFI. Investigators continue to determine any links between the bar altercation and those struck by the vehicle.
Caen’s deputy prosecutor outlined that an inquiry had been opened on charges of murder and voluntary violence with a weapon. The case was assigned to the Specialised Crime Division within the Calvados department the prosecutor adjoint added while speaking at the scene. Initial elements pointed to the act being intentional based on evidence gathered so far.
A spokesperson for the Calvados local administration confirmed to multiple outlets that four victims were admitted to a nearby hospital’s emergency ward. Six additional people received treatment for less serious injuries the spokesperson said. Emergency teams including police and medical personnel established a large cordon with authorities advising residents to avoid the train station vicinity.
French media including BILD and Channel News Asia which cited AFP reporting noted the deliberate nature of the ramming while stressing that terrorism had been ruled out at this stage. The prefect’s updates aligned across RFI Le Parisien and other sources providing consistent figures on the casualties and suspect background. Detectives from the specialised unit continue to process all available evidence from the site.
