A man intentionally ploughed his car into a crowd outside a wine bar in northern France after an altercation early Saturday, killing one person and injuring five others, prosecutors told AFP.

The incident occurred in the town of Evreux, in the northern French region of Normandy, at around 4:00 am on Saturday (0200 GMT).

An investigation has been opened into homicide and attempted homicide, according to prosecutors, who ruled out any “terrorist” or racist motives.

“Unfortunately, the toll is very heavy,” Evreux public prosecutor Remi Coutin said.

One man died at the scene, he added.

Five people were injured, and two of them are in critical condition.

Coutin said that “there was an altercation” between a young woman and several men.

The bouncers escorted all the patrons outside, the prosecutor said.

“One person went to fetch a vehicle” and “deliberately reversed at high speed into the crowd outside the establishment”, Coutin added, saying the incident had “escalated and ended in a terrible tragedy”.

Two men and a woman have been taken into custody.