Bomb Plot Near Paris Bank Foiled by Quick Police Action

Police in Paris stopped a bomb attempt early Saturday morning outside a Bank of America office, capturing the would‑be bomber just as he tried to light a homemade explosive. The device was made from about five litres of an unknown liquid, likely fuel, and a 650‑gram powder charge. It was discovered near the Bank of America building in the upscale 8th arrondissement, close to the Champs‑Elysées. The suspect had reportedly been recruited through Snapchat and was promised 600 euros to carry out the attack. While setting up the bomb, a second person tried to record the event but fled before authorities arrived. French counter‑terrorism prosecutors now lead the investigation, describing it as an attempt to cause damage by fire or other dangerous means tied to a terrorist plot. Both the Paris judicial police and the national intelligence agency, DGSI, are involved.Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised the rapid response and said France remains on a heightened state of vigilance due to ongoing international tensions. He acknowledged that European countries are especially alert after recent conflicts in the Middle East, which have raised fears of attacks on Iranian dissidents and U. S. or Israeli targets. The arrested man is in police custody, while the accomplice remains at large. Forensic teams secured the bomb for analysis, and Bank of America confirmed it was aware of the incident and cooperating with French authorities. The event underscores how quickly authorities can neutralize threats when they act swiftly, and it highlights the growing use of social media platforms for extremist recruitment. The investigation continues, with officials monitoring the situation closely and preparing for any further developments.