Explosion outside France synagogue, possibly caused by gas cylinder.

This morning in southern France, there was a disturbing incident outside a synagogue that left two vehicles engulfed in flames. The authorities are calling it a "clearly criminal" act. The Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte, a popular seaside resort, was the target of four separate fires, which were believed to have been caused by an explosion at 8:30am.

According to local officials, one of the cars had a gas canister inside, adding to the already dangerous situation. The mayor of the town, Stéphan Rossignol, confirmed that CCTV footage showed an individual deliberately setting the vehicles on fire. Le Parisien also reported that two doors of the synagogue were lit on fire, but fortunately, no one was inside at the time.

On social media, footage emerged of thick smoke billowing from a nearby estate agent's office, which was located on Allée André Malraux. The two doors of the synagogue were also seen on fire in the video. It was a chaotic scene, with one explosion even causing a police officer to be thrown to the ground. They were quickly taken to the emergency room at Montpellier University Hospital, but thankfully, their injuries were not life-threatening.

The incident has sparked an investigation by the police. Interior minister Gérald Darmanin expressed his concern, stating, "An attempted arson, clearly criminal, hit the synagogue in La Grande Motte this morning." Senator Hussein Bourgi also offered his support to the Jewish community in La Grande Motte and their president, Sabine Atlan, saying, "I would like to express all my solidarity with the Jewish community of La Grande Motte as well as its president, Sabine Atlan."

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