Annecy park knife attack on pre-school children: What is known so far
A Dutch and a British boy on holiday were among the four young children injured, two are in a serious condition
The attack happened in a park in Annecy, Haute-Savoie
EricBery / Shutterstock
Four children - the youngest aged just 22 months, two aged two and one of three - were stabbed by a man as they played in a park in Annecy, southeast France, this morning (June 8), it has been confirmed.
Two of the children, who include a Dutch and a British boy (both on holiday in the area), are in a critical condition. Two adults were also attacked.
The perpetrator - a Syrian national - was taken into police custody. Authorities say there is no evidence of a terrorist motive. The man is reported to have been notified this week that his request for asylum in France had been rejected. The reason stated is that he already had been granted the status in Sweden where his wife lives.
The attack took place just before 10:00 in a play area in a park on the side of the lake in the town.
Interior Minister G茅rald Darmanin said: 鈥淪everal people, including children, were injured by an individual armed with a knife. The individual has been arrested thanks to very fast intervention from law enforcement.鈥�
Leaders have responded
Prime Minister 脡lisabeth Borne has visited the site. The Assembl茅e Nationale held a minute of silence as news of the stabbings came in.
The Assembl茅e president, Ya毛l Braun-Pivet, held the minute as a moment of reflection 鈥渇or them, and for their families鈥�. She added that she hoped 鈥渢hat...this extremely serious attack would not lead to consequences that will leave the nation in mourning鈥�.
MP of Haute-Savoie Antoine Armand called the attack 鈥渁bominable鈥�.
Marine Le Pen tweeted: 鈥淚t鈥檚 with terror and horror that we are learning of the attack on young children in Annecy by an individual armed with a knife. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.鈥�
A public information unit is open
The Haute-Savoie prefect has activated a public information line. It can be reached on 04 50 33 61 33 from within France.
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