In the town of Annecy in southeastern France, a stabbing incident has left two adults and four young children injured. The assailant, identified as Abdalmasih H., a 32-year-old Syrian asylum seeker, attacked the victims for reasons that are currently unknown.
The French authorities have reported that two of the children, all of whom are under three years old, are in critical condition as a result of the attack.
According to an unnamed police source cited by French BFM TV, Abdalmasih H. had obtained refugee status from Sweden and had also applied for refugee status in France. However, his application in France was superseded by the approval he received from Sweden. The suspect has been apprehended by the police in connection with the incident.
Officials reported that on Thursday morning, a knife-wielding man attacked four young children and two adults in a playground located in a park in the French Alpine town of Annecy. French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, who visited the town later that day, confirmed that the suspect was a Syrian man who had sought refugee status in France.
According to Borne, the individual in question is a Syrian refugee who already had refugee status in Sweden but had also applied for asylum in France. However, the Swedish refugee status took precedence over the French application. Borne emphasized that the suspect had no criminal or psychiatric history.
Public prosecutor Linne Bonnett stated that there appears to be no evidence of terrorist motivation behind the brazen attack on the children, who were simply enjoying their time at the local beauty spot.
Following the incident, law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene, and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed via a tweet that the sole suspect had been apprehended thanks to the rapid intervention of the police.
Later reports from French police verified that a total of six individuals, including four children, were injured in the attack.
The wounded victims were promptly transported to a nearby hospital, with local newspaper Le Dauphiné libéré earlier noting that at least three of the children were in critical condition.
According to sources, the children involved were approximately three years old and belonged to a kindergarten group that was playing in the Jardins de l’Europe lakeside park. The local police chief immediately cordoned off the area and advised the public to stay away. In addition, soldiers were deployed to secure local roads, while the police questioned witnesses. Authorities also implemented a security perimeter around the Quai Jules-Philippe school, situated on the opposite side of the canal that leads to Lake Annecy.
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident as an “absolutely cowardly attack.” In a tweet, he expressed concern for the children and an adult who were in critical condition, stating that the nation was in shock. He extended his thoughts to the victims, their families, and the emergency services present at the scene.
Please note that the information provided is based on available sources and should be verified for accuracy.
According to a witness interviewed on local radio, the perpetrator was heard speaking English and specifically targeted the children.
Several unverified videos circulating on social media purportedly depict a man with a beard, wearing a headscarf, dark sunglasses, and shorts that revealed a leg tattoo. The footage shows the man running around in the park and wielding a knife, while people attempt to evade him. In one video, a woman pushing a stroller in the playground confronts the man as he approaches, shouting at him in English, “No! Get away from the kids!”
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated in London that one of the injured children is a U.K. citizen.
In a gesture of respect, the French National Assembly momentarily halted a debate on controversial pension reforms to observe a minute’s silence in honor of the victims.
Please note that the information provided is based on available sources and should be verified for accuracy.
I strongly condemn the heinous attack on the innocent child. Such acts of violence are deeply distressing and have no place in our society. My thoughts are with the victim and their family during this difficult time. It is crucial that swift action is taken to ensure justice is served and that measures are implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. The safety and well-being of our children should always be a top priority.
Here are the latest updates on the knife attack that took place in a park in Annecy:
- French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has confirmed that all four injured children have undergone surgery and are now in stable condition.
- The suspect, a Syrian man who holds refugee status in Sweden, is believed to have been living as a homeless individual in Annecy. He is currently in police custody.
- While there is no documented history of psychiatric illness, concerns are arising regarding the suspect’s mental state.
- The suspect has a wife and a three-year-old child residing in Sweden.
- President Macron visited some of the injured children at a hospital in Grenoble and is scheduled to visit Annecy later this afternoon.
Tributes for the victims, including flowers, candles, and a heart-shaped balloon, have been placed at the scene of the incident.
Following the devastating attack, residents and tourists in Annecy have expressed their shock and shared their thoughts on the incident:
Audrey Neyrer, who is currently visiting the Alpine region with her daughter, reflects on her familiarity with the park where the stabbings occurred, saying, “We are deeply concerned for the children… we can only hope for their recovery.” She shares her thought of being present in the park during the attack is unsettling.
Camille, Audrey’s daughter, adds that the incident is “scary,” considering they could have been at the park at the same time.
Antoine Rigollot, a bakery worker, expresses the shock experienced by the local community, which is primarily composed of families. She tells, “Nothing of this sort really happens here… there is usually a positive atmosphere.” She further states, “We could have never imagined such a cruel event taking place here.”
The attack has deeply affected both residents and visitors, highlighting the peaceful and tight-knit nature of the community prior to this tragic incident.
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