French police have foiled a bomb plot near the Champs-Élysées in Paris, arresting a man just moments before he could detonate a homemade explosive device outside a Bank of America building early Saturday.
The incident took place at around 3:30am in the city’s 8th arrondissement, one of Paris’s most prominent commercial and tourist districts. Authorities said the suspect had already placed a device containing approximately five litres of liquid, believed to be fuel, along with an ignition mechanism.
Initial assessments indicated the ignition system included around 650 grams of explosive powder. The device was secured before it could be activated and transported to a police forensic laboratory for detailed examination.
France’s counterterrorism prosecutor’s office confirmed it had taken immediate control of the investigation. The case is being treated as attempted destruction using dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking, as well as participation in a terrorist criminal conspiracy.
The probe is being handled by the Paris judicial police in coordination with the General Directorate for Internal Security, reflecting the seriousness of the suspected attack and the involvement of national intelligence services.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the swift police response, highlighting the importance of rapid intervention in preventing potential attacks. He also pointed to the broader international context, as security services across Europe remain on heightened alert amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.