In a shocking incident in Mulhouse, a knife attack has resulted in the death of a 69-year-old man and injuries to five police officers, with the assailant under a terrorism watch list. President Macron has labeled the event an Islamist terrorist attack, echoing a call for urgent action against such acts of violence.
Knife Attack in Mulhouse: One Dead, Several Police Injured in Islamist Assault
Knife Attack in Mulhouse: One Dead, Several Police Injured in Islamist Assault
A terrorist knife attack in eastern France leaves one dead and several police officers injured, prompting a nationwide outcry and urgent discussions on security measures.
In Mulhouse, a peaceful Saturday afternoon took a tragic turn when a knife-wielding attacker targeted police officers, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. The assailant, a 37-year-old Algerian man, reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the attack, prompting prosecutors to launch a terrorism investigation. Among the injured, two police officers sustained severe injuries - one to the neck and another to the chest - while a 69-year-old Portuguese man who intervened to assist was fatally stabbed.
The suspect, known to authorities and subject to a deportation order, was previously on a terrorism watch list. Following the incident, French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the event as an Islamist terrorist attack, emphasizing the government's ongoing commitment to combating terrorism on French soil. Expressing condolences to the victim’s family, Macron reassured the public about efforts to enhance security.
The attack occurred around 4 PM local time, near a crowded market, while police officers were providing security for a demonstration supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo. Residents expressed alarm over the incident, with local citizens saying they would feel more anxious when visiting public spaces in the future.
The injuries sustained by the police officers vary, with one officer discharged from the hospital shortly after treatment. Mulhouse’s mayor, Michele Lutz, expressed her disbelief at the event, stating, "Horror has seized our city," while Prime Minister François Bayrou mourned the victims and called for unity against fanatic behavior.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, investigating the attacker, noted that the man displayed a "schizophrenic profile" and mentioned the complexities surrounding his deportation, revealing that France had made ten attempts to expel him, all of which Algeria had rejected. He called for adjustments to the bilateral relations with Algeria and urged for reform regarding detention center processes.
As the nation grapples with the shock of this tragic act of violence, discussions surrounding security protocols and preventative measures against future assaults have emerged as a top priority. No immediate response from Algerian authorities has been recorded, leaving many questions unanswered regarding this troubling incident.
