Several individuals, at least four of them children, were stabbed at a park in the French Alps town of Annecy at around 09:45 local time Thursday (07:45 UTC).
According to French interior minister Gérald Darmanin, police quickly overpowered and arrested the attacker. Reports say two of the stabbed children were taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Local official Antoine Armand said the attack was "abominable," and French prime minister élisabeth Borne was on her way to the scene. He added "very little" is still known of the attacker but investigations are underway.
Police suspect the attacker was believed to be a Syrian refugee, according to local media. He allegedly stabbed the children before fleeing the scene and stabbing an elderly man nearby. Police eventually subdued the attacker by shooting his leg.
The French National Assembly interrupted their session to observe a minute of silence while French President Emmanuel Macron expressed "shock" over the act of cowardice.
"An attack of absolute cowardice happened this morning in a park in Annecy," he wrote on Twitter. "Children and an adult are between life and death. The Nation is in shock. Our thoughts are with them as well as their families as emergency services are being mobilized."
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
Former football player Anthony le Tallec was also in the town when the attack happened. He said he heard people yelling at others to run as police chased the attacker down. He then proceeded to the park, where he saw the injured children on the ground. "It's crazy to have this in Annecy," he said. Le Tallec also claimed police were hesitant to shoot the attacker's leg.
Communiqué officiel - Official Press Release pic.twitter.com/YqFwf8I7Kf
— Annecy Festival (@annecyfestival) June 8, 2023
Meanwhile, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival's organizers have released a statement on Twitter regarding the attack.
"The Annecy International Animation Film Festival management and team were shocked to learn about the tragic events that took place on Le Pâquier this morning," the statement was written in French and English. "Our thoughts immediately go to the victims and their families."
This is a developing story.
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