Terrorism Probe Launched After Arson Attack on French Synagogue

French authorities initiated a terrorism investigation following an arson attack on a synagogue in La Grande Motte. Two cars were set ablaze, causing a propane tank to explode and injuring a police officer. Officials confirmed it as a terrorist act, reinforcing security at Jewish sites nationwide.

French authorities on Saturday initiated a terrorism investigation after an arson attack on a synagogue in La Grande Motte injured a police officer, leading security forces to hunt for a suspect.

Two vehicles parked at the Beth Yaacov synagogue complex in the southwestern Mediterranean town were set on fire around 8 a.m., the National Anti-terrorism Prosecutor's Office reported. Additional fires were discovered at two entrances to the synagogue, where a propane gas tank explosion injured a police officer responding to the scene.

Five individuals, including the rabbi, were present but unharmed. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack as a "terrorist act" and assured efforts to apprehend the perpetrator, amidst an increase in antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Hamas conflict last year.

(With inputs from agencies.)