Bank of America bomb plot foiled

A bomb attack outside a Bank of America branch in central Paris has been foiled by police.

The bomber, who has not been named, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday as he prepared to detonate a homemade explosive device.

Officers seized the suspect at around 3.30am local time outside the bank’s 8th arrondissement headquarters, a few streets from the Champs-Élysées.

A second man, believed to have been filming the attack on his phone, fled the scene and has yet to be apprehended.

The device contained five litres of liquid believed to be fuel and an ignition system packed with explosive powder. It was taken to a forensics laboratory for analysis.

The suspect told police he had been recruited via Snapchat and offered €600 to carry out the attack. No details on his age or nationality have been released.

France’s counterterrorism prosecutor’s office has taken over the investigation, citing “attempted damage by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking.”

Bank of America said it was aware of the situation and in contact with authorities.