Belle-Île Mayor Dies After Altercation with Yachtsman

The island of Belle-Île-en-Mer in Morbihan is in shock following the death of Dominique Rousselot, the mayor of Locmaria, who passed away Saturday evening after an altercation. Gendarmes were called to the Port du Palais, the island's main port, around 9 p.m. following reports of a fight.

They discovered the mayor, who had recently begun his second term, in cardio-respiratory arrest on the quay. Despite resuscitation efforts, Rousselot could not be saved. He also served as a dock supervisor at the ferry terminal. Initial reports suggest no visible signs of injury on the mayor, and the exact circumstances leading to his death remain unclear.

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a force of Nature, a pillar

The yachtsman involved in the altercation is a 55-year-old man with a history of aggravated violence, known to the police. He reportedly resisted initial contact with law enforcement before being taken into custody. His arrest and the ongoing investigation aim to determine if the altercation directly led to the mayor's death.

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he embodied his commune, and defended its uniqueness with passion and enthusiasm. His new term carried many projects that were close to his heart.

Rousselot, a father of two, was a prominent figure in the local community and a founder of the Belle-Île rugby club. Tributes have poured in, with the club describing him as a "force of Nature" and a "pillar." The Locmaria municipal council remembered him as a passionate defender of the island's unique character and a mayor with many projects for his commune.

Loig Chesnais-Girard, president of the Brittany region, also paid tribute to Rousselot as a dedicated local official. Marie Thuillier, the deputy mayor, will serve as interim mayor. A municipal council meeting scheduled for Monday was canceled, and a date for a new election will be set by the prefecture.

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an elected official of the ground, sincere and deeply committed to serving Belle-Île.