The suspect tried to resist arrest by opening fire on police officers. He was injured and taken to hospital, but his life was not in danger, the reports said. Two other people were also arrested.

CCTV cameras caught the main suspect in the early hours of Saturday morning setting fire to several doors of the synagogue and two nearby cars. One of the cars contained a gas container that exploded, injuring a police officer.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday afternoon called the incident a “terrorist act” and said everything was being done to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Terrorism investigators were put in charge of the investigation and coordinated the operation that resulted in the arrest of the Algerian man.

Darmanin and French Prime Minister Garbiel Attal went to La Grand-Motte on Saturday, where they visited the synagogue and met members of the Jewish community. “The anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue shocks, riots and scandalizes all Republicans in our country,” Attal said on X.

Attacks on Jewish institutions in France have increased since the militant group Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and subsequent retaliatory attack on Gaza.