France: 4 toddlers injured in mass stabbing, accused arrested
What's the story
At least five people, including four toddlers, were injured in a mass stabbing in the Annecy town of the French Alps, a mountain range in France, AFP reported, quoting security officials. The incident occurred around 9:45am when a man attacked a group of children with a knife. All the children, who were playing in a park near a lake, were around three years old.
Twitter Post
Purported video of locals chasing suspect after attack
#BREAKING Six children injured in mass stabbing in French Alps town of Annecy#Annecy #france #agression #attentat #paquier pic.twitter.com/Q5E5hUpsRU
— Shekhar Pujari (@ShekharPujari2) June 8, 2023
Details
Accused is Syrian asylum seeker
According to BFM TV, the assailant is an asylum seeker from Syria. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said he has been arrested. At least three of the victims were in critical condition, sources told AFP. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's office announced she would travel to the scene, while MPs in the parliament held a minute's silence as soon as the news broke.
Twitter Post
Helicopter deployed at scene
Mass #stabbing incident at a park in #Annecy, #France. Reports say that the suspect hurt at least 8 minors, with two badly injured minors being flown to the nearest hospital, the children were on a school trip to the park.
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) June 8, 2023
pic.twitter.com/ZbIU5ndTHi
Reactions
The nation is in shock: Macron
Following the incident, French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack "cowardice." Taking to Twitter, he said in French, "Children and an adult are between life and death. The nation is in shock. Our thoughts are with them as well as their families and the emergency services mobilized."
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Here's Macron's tweet
Attaque d’une lâcheté absolue ce matin dans un parc à Annecy. Des enfants et un adulte sont entre la vie et la mort. La Nation est sous le choc. Nos pensées les accompagnent ainsi que leurs familles et les secours mobilisés.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 8, 2023