Six people, including four children, have been injured in a knife attack in Annecy, France. According to Annecy’s public prosecutor, Line Bonnet-Matis, five of the injured are in a “state of absolute emergency” and one adult has minor injuries. Two children are at risk of death.
Of the four little ones, one is 22 months old, two are two years old and one is three years old. Two of the children are French nationals, one is Dutch and the other is English, officials said.
“Many people, including children, were injured in an attack by a man with a knife in a square in Annecy. The person has been arrested due to swift action by the police”, wrote French Interior Minister Gerald Dorman on Twitter.
Several personnes dont des enfants ont été blesséd par un individu armed d’un couteau dans un square à Annecy. L’individu a été interpelle grace à l’intervention très rapide des forces de l’artre.
— Gerald Darmanin (@GDarmanin) June 8, 2023
According to a police source, The attacker is a 32-year-old Syrian national with asylum seeker status in Sweden. He is a political refugee and has no criminal record.
The playground where the attack took place was reopened in the afternoon. There are many people who leave flowers in this park to pay their respects to those who died.
The public prosecutor in Annecy said the investigation into the attack indicated “no apparent terrorist motive”.
French Prime Minister Élisabeth Bourne said investigations were still ongoing and it was time to support the victims and their families.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the French far-left, has also reacted. “Our hearts are broken. To children, our painful affection. To the parents, our heartfelt sympathies.”
The tragedy caused unrest in the National Assembly, which was going on at the same time as the members A moment of silence At the request of President Yaël Braun-Pivet later for this “very serious attack”.