French police arrested a man early Saturday as he prepared to detonate a homemade explosive device outside a Bank of America branch in central Paris, with counter-terrorism prosecutors now leading a formal investigation into what authorities are calling a foiled terrorist attack.
The incident occurred around 3:30am local time in front of the bank’s building in the city’s 8th arrondissement, a few streets from the Champs-Elysees. Officers arrested the suspect moments after he placed a device consisting of five litres of liquid believed to be fuel and an ignition system.
France’s National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the probe covers attempted destruction by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist plot, as well as the making, possession and transport of an incendiary or explosive device.
According to a police source, the suspect claimed he had been recruited via the Snapchat app to carry out the bombing in exchange for 600 euros. When officers arrested him, he was about to ignite the device with a lighter. He also reportedly claimed to be both a minor and a Senegalese citizen, though authorities said they were still verifying his identity.
The ignition component contained 650 grams of explosive powder, according to an initial assessment. The whole device was taken to the Paris police forensics laboratory for full analysis.
A second individual who was present fled the scene and remains at large.
Both the Paris judicial police and the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), France’s domestic intelligence service, are involved in the investigation.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised the police response, saying the operation had “thwarted a violent terrorist attack” in the French capital. He added that vigilance remains at a very high level, citing the “current international context” in an apparent reference to rising tensions in parts of the Middle East.
Since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, European countries have been on high alert for potential attacks on Iranian dissidents, Jewish places of worship and US-Israeli assets.
Bank of America confirmed it was aware of the incident and in communication with French authorities. No employees were present or injured, as the building was closed at the time.
