PARIS — Eight young children and one adult were stabbed in a knife attack at a beauty spot in southern France on Thursday, police said.
The suspect was arrested but a motive was unclear, police said.
Police said the children were as young as three years old and that three of those injured were in a serious condition.
President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet that the suspect had carried out “an attack of cowardice” and said those injured were “between life and death.”
A group of school children were on a supervised trip to Lake Annecy in the French Alps when the attack happened at 9.45 a.m. local time (3:45 a.m. ET), the French National Police told NBC News.
Police said the attack took place in Le Pâquier d’Annecy, a park on the north side of the lake, which has a children’s play area and spectacular views across the lake and surrounding mountains.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said in a tweet that the suspect “was arrested thanks to the very rapid intervention of the police.”
François Astorg, the mayor of Annecy, called the attack “appalling” and said there would be a news conference at 12.30 p.m. on Thursday (6.30 a.m. ET).
Lawmakers in the French Parliament interrupted a debate to hold a minute’s silence following news of the attack.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates soon.
Nancy Ing reported from Paris, and Patrick Smith reported from London.
