A Syrian asylum seeker has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of stabbing four children and one adult in a park in the French city of Annecy.
A man armed with a knife attacked a group of children aged about 3 at 9:45 a.m. Thursday in a park near the town’s lake, a security source who asked not to be identified and a local official told AFP. .
Police said three children are in life-threatening conditions. A man was also injured in the attack.
Initially it was thought that six children had been injured.
The suspect told police he was a Syrian asylum seeker, a police source told AFP. His identity has not been verified.
The attacker is not believed to be known to security services, a police source told the agency.
French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne said she was traveling to the scene of the stabbings.
A press conference is scheduled to take place at 11:30am BST.
Follow below for more updates.
11:28
imminent press conference
François Astorg, the mayor of Annecy, said: “The situation is under control, there is no longer any danger.”
He confirmed that there will be a press conference at 11:30am BST.
11:22
National Assembly observes minutes of silence
The French National Assembly observed a minute’s silence in tribute to the victims on Thursday.
11:20
‘Fear and Horror’: Marine Le Pen
Marine Le Pen, whom Macron defeated last year to win a second term as president, said she learned of the attack with “fear and horror.”
She said: “It is with fear and horror that we learn of the assault of young children in Annecy by an individual armed with a knife. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the far-left leader, who came third in the presidential election, said: “Our hearts are broken to have to live through this.”
“How is this possible? Attacking children! Hitting them with a knife!” he told the National Assembly.
11:15 a.m.
Witness describes scene
Fanny, a witness at the park, told BFMTV that calm had been restored to the scene.
“This is the best-known park in Annecy. This is where all the activities take place and where all the young residents of Annecy meet. It is a very quiet place and I have never heard of an attack. It’s amazing,” he said.
11:14
Macron denounces stabbings
President Emmanuel Macron has denounced “an act of absolute cowardice in a park in Annecy”.
He said in a post on Twitter: “Children and an adult are fighting for their lives. The nation is in shock. Our thoughts are with them and their families and the emergency services on the scene.”
11:12
Where did the attack occur?
The attack took place in the town of Annecy, in the French Alps.
11:09
Pictured: Emergency services on the scene.
French soldiers and police cordoned off the scene in a park in Annecy.
10:06
What we know so far
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Three children are in a life-threatening state
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Four children and one adult injured
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A suspect is in custody
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A detained man is a Syrian asylum seeker
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Prime Minister on his way to the scene
Follow for more updates.