French police thwarted a bomb attack early Saturday morning outside a US bank in Paris by apprehending a suspect preparing to detonate a homemade explosive device. The arrest took place around 3:30 am (0130 GMT) in front of a Bank of America branch located in the upscale 8th arrondissement, just a few streets from the Champs-Elysees.
The suspect was caught shortly after placing a device composed of approximately five liters (1.3 US gallons) of liquid, believed to be fuel, along with an ignition mechanism. Following his arrest, the individual identified himself as a minor and a Senegalese national, though authorities are still verifying his identity. A second person who accompanied him fled the scene as police arrived.
Initial assessments revealed that the ignition system contained 650 grams (23 ounces) of explosive powder. The entire device was transported to the Paris police forensic laboratory for comprehensive analysis. France’s counter-terrorism prosecutor’s office immediately assumed control of the investigation, confirming the suspect remains in custody.
The inquiry focuses on charges of “attempted damage by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking” and “terrorist criminal conspiracy.” Both the Paris judicial police and the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), France’s domestic intelligence agency, are actively involved in the probe.
Authorities disclosed that the suspect claimed to have been recruited through the Snapchat app to carry out the bombing in exchange for 600 euros (approximately $692). At the time of arrest, he was reportedly about to ignite the device with a lighter. A police source added that while the suspect was setting the charge, his accomplice stepped back, seemingly to capture a photo or video of the act on a mobile phone.
A spokesperson for Bank of America, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, acknowledged awareness of the incident and confirmed ongoing communication with French officials. Meanwhile, France’s interior minister, Laurent Nunez, praised the swift police response on social media platform X, highlighting the importance of vigilance amid the current international climate.
Since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, European nations have heightened security measures against potential attacks targeting Iranian dissidents, Jewish places of worship, and US-Israeli interests. A source close to the investigation described the foiled plot as a manifestation of Iranian threats against American and Israeli assets across Europe. Nunez emphasized that security alertness in France remains exceptionally high.
