French police have thwarted a suspected bomb attack outside a branch of Bank of America in Paris after arresting a man allegedly preparing to ignite a homemade explosive device in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. in the city’s upscale 8th arrondissement, just a short distance from Champs-Élysées, an area known for diplomatic offices, luxury businesses, and major international institutions.
According to investigators, officers on patrol intervened moments after the suspect placed an improvised device made up of a five-litre container filled with flammable liquid and an ignition mechanism containing approximately 650 grams of explosive powder.
Authorities said the suspect was reportedly about to ignite the device with a lighter when police moved in and arrested him.
A second individual believed to have accompanied the suspect fled the scene and is currently being sought by investigators.
France’s national counter-terrorism prosecutor immediately took over the case, opening an investigation into attempted destruction by dangerous means linked to a terrorist undertaking, as well as terrorist criminal conspiracy.
The inquiry is being led jointly by the Paris judicial police and the General Directorate for Internal Security.
A police source said the arrested suspect claimed he had been recruited through Snapchat and promised 600 euros to carry out the attack. He also reportedly told investigators that he had been dropped near the target location by another individual shortly before the attempted attack.
The explosive device has since been transferred to a police forensic laboratory for detailed analysis as authorities work to determine its full destructive capacity and possible links to a wider network.
France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, praised the swift intervention of police officers, describing their response as critical given the tense international security climate.
A spokesperson for Bank of America confirmed the institution is aware of the incident and is in contact with French authorities as investigations continue.
The attempted attack comes as France remains on heightened alert over possible threats to American, Israeli, and other sensitive international interests amid growing geopolitical tensions. Authorities say security vigilance remains at an elevated level across the country.
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