France Knife Attack Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Injured in What Macron Calls "Terrorism"
A brutal knife attack in France on Friday evening has left one person dead and at least two others injured, in what French President Emmanuel Macron has described as a "terrorist" incident.
The attack occurred in the city of Lyon, in eastern France, where a 32-year-old man brandishing a knife was seen shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) as he rampaged through the streets, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
According to eyewitnesses, the attacker, who has been identified as a French national with Tunisian roots, was seen attacking passersby and shopkeepers in the busy streets of the city center, before being subdued by police.
French authorities responded quickly to the scenes, and police were able to apprehend the suspect and take them into custody. The motives behind the attack are still unclear, although it is believed to be linked to terrorism.
"It is a terrorist attack," President Macron tweeted, condemning the actions as "a cowardly and odious act of terrorism" that had left the country "shocked and outraged."
The suspect was reportedly known to French authorities and had been the subject of previous investigations, although the exact nature of those investigations was not immediately clear.
The attack has sent shockwaves throughout France, which has been grappling with concerns about terrorism and extremism in recent years. In 2015, the country was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks that targeted cafes, streets, and venues, killing a total of 130 people and injuring hundreds more.
In the aftermath of the attack, French authorities have increased security measures across the country, with martial law being declared in parts of the city of Lyon. Residents have been advised to remain indoors and avoid travel to the area until the situation is brought under control.
The international community has also rallied around France, with leaders and governments from around the world expressing their condolences and support to the French people. The European Union has condemned the attack, calling it a "cowardly act of terrorism" that "targeted innocent people and caused harm and suffering."
As the investigation into the attack continues, authorities are working to piece together the events surrounding the attack and to understand the motives behind it. In the meantime, the people of France remain shaken and concerned, still reeling from the horror of the attack.
"All our thoughts are with the victims, their families and the people affected by this heinous act," President Macron said in a statement. "We will do everything in our power to support those affected and to ensure that justice is served."
