(CNN) — A motorist rammed into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Oléron on Wednesday, injuring nearly a dozen people just off the Atlantic coast.

Within 35 minutes, the driver ran over five people, according to the French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.

Ten passersby were injured, CNN affiliated BFMTV reported. At least two people were seriously wounded, including a 22-year-old woman, the interior minister added.

Police swiftly arrived at the scene and apprehended the driver “with difficulty,” CNN affiliated BFMTV reported on Wednesday, citing the mayor of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, Christophe Sueur.

He was taken into custody, BFMTV added.

Authorities subsequently opened an investigation, Nuñez said. France’s national anti-terror prosecutor’s office is also monitoring the

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