At least two cars, one of which contained a gas cylinder, were set on fire this morning in front of synagogue of La Grand-Motte, in southern France, causing an explosion that injured a member of the municipal police, French officials said, speaking of a deliberate act.

Police are looking for the attacker, while the investigation into the incident has been taken over by the counter-terrorism prosecutor’s office, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said.

“This is an anti-Semitic attack. Once again, our Jewish fellow citizens are being targeted,” Atal stressed to X. “We will not back down. In the face of anti-Semitism, in the face of violence we will never allow ourselves to be afraid,” he added.

The mayor of La Grand-Motte, Stéphane Rosignol, told AFP that a municipal police officer who rushed to the scene was injured, but his life was not in danger.

“The explosion of a gas cylinder in a car in front of the Grand Mott synagogue while the worshipers are expected to arrive: it is not just an attack on a place of worship, it is an attempt to kill Jews,” complained Jonathan Arfi head of the Council which represents the Jewish institutions of France (Crif).

For his part, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that the police are looking for the attacker.

“I want to assure our Jewish citizens and the city (Grand Motte) of my full support and to tell them that, following the request of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, all means have been mobilized to locate the perpetrator,” said the Darmanen in X.

At the same time, the French minister asked all prefectures to “immediately strengthen the presence of law enforcement in front of Jewish places of worship.”

Both Atal and Darmanen are expected to visit the synagogue later today.