The incident, which unfolded at Cours Jean-Jaurés in Grenoble, France, saw a driver crash into four pedestrians, with the driver being arrested a few minutes later after fleeing the scene.
Two women and one man have been seriously injured. It is being reported that all four injured are from the same family.
The driver has been detained and is being held in custody, according to local media.
Horrific Scene in Grenoble
The incident occurred late on Saturday night, just before midnight, as fans across France were celebrating Paris Saint-Germain’s historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Munich.
According to French media reports, 27 police officers and 40 firefighters attended the horrific scene after the vehicle “lost control” and ploughed into the group of celebrants on the streets of Grenoble, in southeastern France.
Driver Flees Then Surrenders
According to reports published by local media, the driver jumped out of the car following the incident and “attempted to escape”, before handing himself over to police.
A police prefecture provided more information on the incident, explaining “a vehicle apparently lost control” and that the driver had now surrendered to authorities and had been detained.
Family Among Victims
Police confirmed that all four people injured were from the same family. Two of the victims are reported to be in serious condition, with one woman described as “fighting for her life” and requiring intensive care.
Investigation Points to Accident
A source close to the investigation told AFP that the crash, according to preliminary data, was unintentional.
Local media outlet Ouest France reported that the driver was allegedly attempting to perform a controlled stunt but lost control of his vehicle.
Historic Night Marred by Violence
The incident cast a shadow over what should have been a night of pure celebration for PSG fans, as the club secured their first-ever Champions League trophy with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan.
Footage emerging from the scene following the incident shows paramedics crowded around the injured on the city street, with locals looking on in horror as emergency services attempted to save the family.
Wider Celebrations Turn Violent
The Grenoble incident was not the only tragedy during the celebrations. In the town of Dax, south of Bordeaux, one person was killed in a fatal stabbing as crowds celebrated PSG’s victory, though the exact circumstances remained initially unclear.
In Paris itself, nearly 300 arrests were made after some clashes with police, though the majority of fans celebrated peacefully. Police said scuffles broke out near the city’s Champs-Élysées avenue and PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, where 48,000 had watched the match on big screens.
PSG’s Historic Victory
Paris Saint-Germain’s young team achieved what the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé could not do in their colours, becoming only the second French side to win the trophy after Olympique de Marseille in 1993.
The victory sparked massive celebrations across France, with thousands taking to the streets in jubilation. The PSG team was scheduled to hold a victory parade on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday when tens of thousands of supporters were expected to gather.
Previous Incidents
This was not the first time celebrations have turned tragic. In May, during PSG’s Champions League semifinal victory over Arsenal, three people were hospitalized after being hit by a car near the Champs-Élysées avenue.
As investigations continue into the Grenoble incident, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly celebrations can turn to tragedy, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a night of unbridled joy for French football.
