The French President and First Lady, Emmanuel, and Brigitte Macron, visited a hospital in Grenoble Friday to visit the victims of the knife attack in Annecy yesterday (June 8).
The couple spent two hours with the young victims and their parents at the hospital and the hospital staff.
Prior to the visit, French prime minister Elisabeth Borne announced all four children injured in the attack had "all been operated on, are under continuous observation, and are stable," including the two who were earlier reported to be critical. "This is still an emotional time, we are still caring for these little children, and I invite everyone to show dignity under the circumstances," she added.
Attack Spurs Immigration Issue Anew
Meanwhile, French opposition parties took advantage of the attack to question France's immigration and asylum policy.
Republican party head Eric Ciotti noticed the attacker "has the same profile" as the other assailants in previous similar incidents. On the other hand, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen told French media the country should "regain sovereignty" on immigration issues, stressing the French Constitution should come above EU law.
However, government spokesman Dr. Olivier Véran said such debates are premature. "There will be answers that will have to be provided," he said. "But I do not understand - when we are in the time of emotion when the kids are on the operating table - that everyone starts to indulge in a rather unhealthy game of explanations and justifications. Now is not the time."
Attacker Identified
Meanwhile, the adult injured in the attack was identified as a 78-year-old man named Youssouf, who was "slightly" wounded in the arm by the Syrian attacker, later revealed to be 31-year-old Abdalmash Hanoun.
Youssouf said there was "no reason" for the attack. "[I] can imagine the stress of [the families] of the children and their loved ones or [the] other children who saw the incident," he added.
The motive for Hanoun's attack remains unknown as he was still in an "agitated condition," but police alleged he was homeless in the town. Police also had no recorded history of psychiatric illness, but there are growing questions regarding his mental state.
Hanoun lived in Sweden for 10 years with his ex-wife and three-year-old child. Reuters earlier revealed he was also fined for fraud there last year for simultaneously claiming unemployment and student benefits.
Backpack Hero
Frenchmen commended the man who attempted to fight Hanoun with his backpack, earning him the nickname "le héros au sac a dos" or "Backpack Hero" in English.
The man was a 24-year-old Catholic pilgrim named Henri, a philosophy and management student. He told local media he was compelled by his faith to stop Hanoun, saying it was God's will that he was there to intervene. "All I know is that I was not there by chance," he said. "On my journey to the cathedrals, I crossed paths with this man, and I have acted instinctively. It was unthinkable to do nothing."
Henri also found it unthinkable that Hanoun, a self-professed Christian, would attack children by stabbing them. "It is profoundly unchristian to attack the vulnerable," he explained. "The entire Christian civilization on which our country is built is a knightly message to defend widows and orphans. I think that, on the contrary, something terrible inhabited him."
Macron also met with Henri on his trip to Annecy. As for the messages of support towards him, Henri made one simple request: "Pray for the children. Me, I'm fine."
