Attack in Annecy: Six children stabbed in a park, suspect arrested

As L’Obs reported on Thursday, June 8, 2023, several young children were injured in a knife attack in a park near Lake Annecy. Victims lie between life and death, while the Syrian suspect has been arrested.

Horror at the gardens of Europe, near Lake Annecy (Haute-Savoie). At least seven people – six young children and one adult – were stabbed at around 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2023, according to a tally that varies over the morning. According to the latest information, four young children were seriously injured and several victims were reported to be in danger of death. As reported by L’Obs on the same day, the suspect, of Syrian origin, was arrested. This would be a refugee who is legally resident on French soil. In the face of this terrible attack, the deputies and ministers respected a minute of silence in the National Assembly. For her part, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has announced that she is visiting the area. “Terrible attack this morning on the Passover tree in Annecy. My thoughts are with the victims and the families”, reacted the mayor of Annecy, François Astorg, on Twitter, who announced a press point at midday, at 12:30, with the prefect of Haute-Savoie and the prosecutor of the Republic of Annecy. “An absolute cowardice attack this morning in a park in Annecy. Children and an adult are between life and death. The nation is in shock. Our thoughts are with them, their families and the relief workers”, said President Emmanuel Macron on Twitter.

The cordoned-off neighborhood, an important security device

According to the BFMTV, the man arrested by the police on the spot was born in 1991. It is not known from the font files. The stabbed children are about 3 years old. “The assailant jumped, started shouting, headed for the strollers and started stabbing the little ones repeatedly,” Ferdinand, a witness to the horrific scene, told our colleagues at the news channel. The area has been sealed off and local authorities are urging residents not to go there. According to Le Dauphiné Libéré, a kindergarten class at the Quai Jules-Philippe school was on the opposite bank of the canal at this Annecy playground, where the attack took place. For the time being, a major police and rescue mechanism has been set up, with military personnel and a helicopter.