One person was killed and five others were wounded, including two critically, in a knife attack on Saturday in the eastern French city of Mulhouse. According to the newspaper Le Parisien, the suspect, a 37-year-old Algerian man, allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while carrying out the assault. He was swiftly apprehended at the scene.
Local authorities report that the suspect was under police surveillance due to concerns about Islamic radicalization. He had previously been ordered to leave French territory. The attack took place in a covered market area along a canal in the city center. Several municipal police officers who intervened to subdue the attacker were among the injured.
“Our city is gripped by horror,” Mulhouse Mayor Michèle Lutz said in a statement on social media. She also noted that a terrorist motive is currently considered the most likely explanation for the attack. The identity of the deceased victim has not been made public.
In a separate announcement, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office confirmed it has taken over the investigation, citing the potential terrorism angle. All of the injured are reportedly police officers, although precise information regarding their conditions has not been officially released.
“As of now, the death toll stands at one, with several people wounded,” Mayor Lutz continued. “On behalf of the city of Mulhouse, I would like to express my solidarity with the victims and their families.”
The shocking incident has reignited debates about immigration, radicalization, and security measures in France. Further details on the suspect’s background and possible motivations are expected as the investigation progresses.