Champs Elysees attack: Car carrying explosives rams police van in Paris, causing fiery blast

A man has died after ramming a car carrying weapons and explosives into a police van as it drove down Paris’ Champs Elysees, officials say.

Key points:

• Sources say the man was known for links to extremism
• No police officers or passers-by were hurt
• Interior Minister says incident shows threat level in France remains high

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said the man was killed after an attack on a police convoy.

Two police officials said a handgun was found on the driver, who they said was badly burned after the vehicle exploded.

They identified the man as a 31-year-old from the Paris suburb of Argenteuil who had an “S” file, meaning he was flagged for links to extremism.

Mr Collomb said the man’s car was carrying weapons and explosives that could have caused a blast.

Source: Champs Elysees attack: Car carrying explosives rams police van in Paris, causing fiery blast – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)