French interior minister visits injured after driver ploughs into pedestrians in Dijon

2014-12-22 2

Eleven people are recovering in a hospital in the eastern French city of Dijon after police say they were mowed down by a driver.

Officials say the driver - a man in his forties - slammed his car into groups of pedestrians in five parts of the city Sunday evening, while shouting the Arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar," which translates to "God is the greatest."

Two of the 11 pedestrians suffered serious injuries, but officials say their lives were not at risk.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve visited the victims on Monday.

France is on high alert for attacks from Islamic extremists on its soil.

This follows calls from Islamic State militants to target countries taking part in the U.S.-led coalition bombing campaign against IS in Iraq.