“Disturbing”, “revolting”… Tourists and residents of La Grande-Motte in shock the day after the fire in front of the synagogue

The main suspect in the fire in front of the synagogue in La Grande-Motte, in Hérault, was arrested on Saturday evening. His escape lasted barely 15 hours.

The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into attempted terrorist assassinations following the fires and explosion on Saturday 24 August in front of the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte, in Hérault. The alleged perpetrator was arrested in Nîmes on the night of Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 August. “We escaped an absolute tragedy”said Gabriel Attal. The resigning Prime Minister, who went there, spoke of a “extremely determined assailant” and a “anti-Semitic attack”.

The city popular with tourists found itself surrounded by law enforcement. Holidaymakers at the seaside resort, like Camille, lived to the rhythm of the sirens: “My grandmother heard the explosion. She was hanging out the laundry.”. “A huge explosion and a thud. And then after that there was a second small explosion”she specifies. “Afterwards, we heard police officers barricading everywhere, they were telling people to move back, not to go into the park, etc. It’s worrying because there was the GIGN, it’s weird. And then we didn’t expect that when we were on vacation for a week.”recognizes Camille.

Some of the vacationers had planned to go to the synagogue to celebrate Shabbat. “This is the coastal synagogue, says Stéphan Rossignol, the mayor of La Grande-Motte. It’s a meeting place for many Jews who come here on vacation, because there’s a kosher grocery store, a synagogue. We really didn’t expect that. It was a shock.”.

“It’s shocking!”

Catherine, who lives in La Grande-Motte

to franceinfo

Nicole comes here every Saturday to celebrate Shabbat. She had planned to go on Saturday: “It’s extremely shocking. We’re here, we come to pray, and suddenly, this is what happens. It’s revolting, and it’s not normal in a country like France.”.

Catherine lives in La Grande-Motte all year round, and for her, there is no question of being afraid. “We have to continue living, going out. Some people told me they were not going to go out anymore and I told them no, that we had to show these terrorists that they don’t scare us.”she believes.

Following this attack on the Beth Yaacov synagogue, a citizens’ gathering is planned for Tuesday, August 27, at Place de la Comédie in Montpellier.