France stabbing: Children attacked in Annecy park in stable condition – report
The four young children who were stabbed in a park in Annecy, France are now in a stable condition, according to a report from the BBC. The children, ranging from 22 months to three years old, are currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
Among the injured children is one British national and another is Dutch. Additionally, two adults were harmed, with one currently in critical condition.
Authorities say the suspect is a 31-year-old Syrian, who had refugee status in Sweden. He was taken into custody following the incident.
Footage shared on social media – too graphic for broadcast – shows a normal playground with children playing before a man with a knife suddenly appears and within moments there are screams. The attacker appears to target the children, even one in a pram.
French PM Élisabeth Borne stated the suspect had “no criminal or psychiatric record”. She also confirmed the attack does not appear to be terrorist-related.
Police say the suspect had refugee status in Sweden and had recently arrived in France leaving behind his wife and three-year-old daughter. In an unsuccessful asylum application made last year in France, he had identified as a Syrian Christian.