A man who allegedly injured six children by stabbing them in a playground in France was “quickly subdued” by police, according to a top French official. France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin released a statement shortly after news of the attack, which took place in a park near Lake Annecy, in south-east France, emerged.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Several people including children were injured by an individual armed with a knife in a square in Annecy.
“The individual was arrested thanks to the very rapid intervention of the police.”
The attack took place at approximately 8.45am BST (9.45am local time) at a small playground in the alpine town.
Witnesses claimed to local news outlet Le Dauphine to have seen a man starting to attack a group of children while they were playing.
The newspaper also claimed armed forces quickly arrived on the scene and subdued the attacker, before arresting him and taking him to hospital given he presented injuries.
Three of the children affected by the attack, all believed to be aged around three, are now reportedly in critical condition and were rushed to hospital.
Among the casualties of the stabbing are also believed to be at least an adult, according to the prefecture and a source close to the case.
Authorities are now investigating the attack, which was described as “abominable” by regional deputy Antoine Armand.
Elisabeth Borne, France’s Prime minister, headed to the scene of the incident shortly after news of it emerged.
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