French police have prevented a suspected bomb attack outside a Bank of America branch in Paris, arresting a man accused of attempting to detonate a homemade explosive device.
The incident took place in the city’s 8th arrondissement, close to the Champs-Élysées, at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time.
Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that officers intervened moments after the suspect placed a device made from a container filled with liquid believed to be fuel, along with an ignition mechanism.
France’s counter-terrorism prosecutor confirmed that the suspect is now in custody, adding that the case is being treated as “attempted damage by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking” and “terrorist criminal conspiracy.”
The probe is being handled by the Paris judicial police in collaboration with the General Directorate for Internal Security.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez commended the swift response of security forces, crediting them with preventing a potentially serious attack.
“Well done to the rapid response team… whose actions thwarted a violent terrorist attack in Paris last night,” he said. “Vigilance remains at a higher level than ever. I congratulate all the security and intelligence forces, who are fully mobilised under my authority in the current international context.”
Authorities disclosed that while one suspect was apprehended at the scene, a second individual reportedly fled and is still being sought. The explosive device has since been secured and handed over to forensic experts as investigations continue.
