French authorities investigate the incident, with no evidence of terrorist motivation
In a horrifying attack in a park near Lake Annecy in south-east France, four children aged three or younger were stabbed, leaving at least two in critical condition. The assailant, a 31-year-old Syrian with refugee status in Sweden, was overpowered and arrested by the police, according to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly confirmed that one of the injured children was a British national, while another was reportedly Dutch. French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and Mr. Darmanin visited the scene of the attack. During a news conference, Ms. Borne announced that four children and two adults were injured, with some in intensive care.
Annecy prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis informed reporters that the victims included a 22-month-old and a three-year-old child, both in severe condition. She stated that there “doesn’t seem to be any kind of terrorist motivation” behind the attack. An attempted murder investigation is currently underway.
The attacker, who invoked the name of Jesus Christ during the incident, claimed to be a Syrian Christian in a previous application for refugee status in France. The suspect’s ex-wife confirmed his Christian beliefs in an interview with BFM TV.
The incident has the potential to ignite debates on immigration in France. In recent years, the country has experienced numerous knife attacks, often perpetrated by young men with backgrounds in petty crime and Islamist connections. However, this attack differs significantly in nature.
Following the attack, France’s National Assembly observed a minute of silence and blocked roads near the scene. President Emmanuel Macron expressed the nation’s shock over the “act of cowardice” in a tweet. Mr. Cleverly stated that British consular officials were en route to the area to support the injured child’s family and expressed solidarity with France during this difficult time.
Witnesses recounted the chilling scene, with former Liverpool football player Anthony le Tallec describing the police chase and subsequent shots fired at the attacker. Another witness, Eleanor Vincent, shared her shock at the incident, which disrupted the otherwise peaceful atmosphere near Lake Annecy.
