Police siren
La Motte is a popular seaside resort and visited by more than 100,000 tourists every year. Image Credit: Pexels

Two cars set on fire outside a synagogue in southern France on Saturday caused an explosion in which a police officer was injured, authorities said.

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Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called the incident near the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Motte on the southern French coast "an obviously criminal act".

The explosion was likely caused by a gas canister hidden in one of the cars, police said.

La Motte, which has around 8,500 permanent residents, is a popular seaside resort and visited by more than 100,000 tourists every year.