Annecy: In a shocking incident, a mass stabbing took place in the town of Annecy in the French Alps, resulting in the injury of seven people, including six children. Security sources informed Agence France-Presse (AFP) about the incident on Thursday, June 8. The attack occurred at approximately 9:45 am Paris time, when a man armed with a knife targeted a group of children, around three years old, at a park near the town’s lake.
According to a security source who preferred to remain anonymous, at least three of the victims are in critical condition. The gravity of the injuries sustained by others is not yet known. The alpine town of Annecy, located in southeastern France, has a population of approximately 130,000.
An official from the Interior Ministry, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, stated that four children and two adults were wounded in the attack. However, the official cautioned that the number of injured individuals might change as more details emerge. The official did not provide specific information regarding the severity of the injuries.
According to the French media, this attack took place at 9.45 local time.
According to AFP, the condition of three people injured in the attack remains serious.
AFP also reported that children as young as three were attacked by a knife-wielding suspect in a park near a lake in the city of Annecy.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed the arrest of the perpetrator, thanks to the swift response of security forces. On social media, local lawmaker Antoine Armand expressed his horror, stating that the children were attacked while playing in a playground. He described the incident as “abominable.”
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
Following the incident, lawmakers in Paris interrupted a debate to observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims, as reported by French television channel BFMTV. France’s Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne’s aide confirmed that she would be traveling to the scene of the stabbing attack to assess the situation.
The motive behind the stabbing is still under investigation, and authorities are working diligently to gather all the facts surrounding the incident. The attack has left the community of Annecy shocked and saddened, as residents grapple with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.
The French government remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens, taking immediate action to apprehend the suspect responsible for the attack. As the investigation progresses, the focus now shifts to supporting the injured victims and their families, providing them with the necessary care and assistance during this difficult time.
The suspect has been arrested. According to local media reports, the suspect is said to be a Syrian refugee.
Source: Google News
