French anti-terrorism authorities have arrested a 16-year-old youth after he said on social media that he wanted to die a martyr at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, a spokesperson said on Wednesday, confirming an earlier report by BFMtv.

"He was arrested after he publicly announced on social media that he planned to create an explosive belt to become a martyr," she said, adding that an investigation was underway into whether he had genuine intentions to commit a terrorist act.