France was shocked by a gruesome attack on the 8th of June. Four toddlers and two pensioners were stabbed at the picturesque Le Paquier park in the tranquil city of Annecy in the French Alps. Two of the children and an adult are said to be in a life-threatening condition. All the wounded children were aged between 22 months and 3 years. French president, Emmanuel Macron, described the attack "as an act of cowardice". The opposition lawmakers though, have accused his government of being too lax on the issue of law and order. Mohammed Saleh brings you this report.

France shocked by a gruesome knife attack on toddlers

<p>Media reports citing the prosecutor revealed that a man, who was held for stabbing four young children at a playground in the French resort town of Annecy is now facing charges of attempted murder.</p>

<p>On June 8, a distressing incident unfolded near a lake in the French Alps, where a knife attack took place. The attack targeted a playground area and resulted in injuries to four preschool children and two adults who were present at the scene.</p>

<p>French prosecutors have stated that the suspected knifeman, who is of Syrian nationality, does not appear to have any connections to terrorism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During a press conference, they confirmed that the suspect is scheduled to appear in court later on Saturday to face charges related to the attack.</p>

<h2><strong>Victims out of danger&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>A local Annecy prosecutor has provided an update on the victims of the attack. The four children, including a British girl who was on vacation with her parents in Annecy, are no longer in life-threatening conditions. Additionally, the two adults who were injured during the attack are now out of danger.</p>

<h2><strong>Suspect's actions and arrest</strong></h2>

<p>Videos captured the suspect in the vicinity of the park near Lake Annecy, where the incident took place.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The footage shows the suspect wearing a bandana and sunglasses, running around the park and randomly attacking people. Authorities swiftly apprehended the suspect at the scene. The suspect was later interrogated.</p>

<h2><strong>Eyewitness accounts</strong></h2>

<p>Anthony Le Tallec, a former professional footballer who happened to be running in the park during the attack, shared his account with the local Dauphine Libere newspaper.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>He recalled, "He wanted to attack everyone. I moved away, and then he lunged at an old man and woman and stabbed the old man."</p>

<h2><strong>The intervention of the "Backpack Hero"</strong></h2>

<p>A bystander named Henri, who has been dubbed the "backpack hero," was present near the playground when he witnessed the man attacking children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Henri expressed his belief that it was a higher power that led him to be there and able to intervene. In an interview with CNEWS, he stated, "All I know is that I was not there by chance."</p>

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<p>Henri further explained, "On my journey to the cathedrals, I crossed paths with this man, and I acted instinctively. It was unthinkable to do nothing."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Video footage shared on social media platforms shows Henri attempting to block the assailant using one of his backpacks. He even pursued the attacker into the playground and threw one of his bags at him. Henri described feeling a strong force within him, guiding his actions.</p>

<h2><strong>Trusting divine guidance</strong></h2>

<p>Henri revealed, "I let myself be guided by providence and the Virgin Mary. I said my adieu. They would decide what would happen."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also mentioned that other young individuals joined him in pursuing the attacker, aiming to scare him and make it clear that he could not continue his harmful actions.</p>

<p>As the investigation progresses, authorities will continue to gather evidence and seek further clarity on the motives behind the attack. The heroic actions of bystanders like Henri demonstrate the resilience and courage of individuals in the face of such tragic events.</p>

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Media reports citing the prosecutor revealed that a man, who was held for stabbing four young children at a playground in the French resort town of Annecy is now facing charges of attempted murder.

Media reports citing the prosecutor revealed that a man, who was held for stabbing four young children at a playground in the French resort town of Annecy is now facing charges of attempted murder. On June 8, a distressing incident unfolded near a lake in the French Alps, where a knife attack took place. The attack targeted a playground area and resulted in injuries to four preschool children and two adults who were present at the scene. French prosecutors have stated that the suspected knifeman, who is of Syrian nationality, does not appear to have any connections to terrorism. During a press conference, they confirmed that the suspect is scheduled to appear in court later on Saturday to face charges related to the attack. Victims out of danger A local Annecy prosecutor has provided an update on the victims of the attack. The four children, including a British girl who was on vacation with her parents in Annecy, are no longer in life-threatening conditions. Additionally, the two adults who were injured during the attack are now out of danger. Suspect's actions and arrest Videos captured the suspect in the vicinity of the park near Lake Annecy, where the incident took place. Also Read | San Francisco: Nine people shot at in yet another 'targeted' shooting incident The footage shows the suspect wearing a bandana and sunglasses, running around the park and randomly attacking people. Authorities swiftly apprehended the suspect at the scene. The suspect was later interrogated. Eyewitness accounts Anthony Le Tallec, a former professional footballer who happened to be running in the park during the attack, shared his account with the local Dauphine Libere newspaper. Also Read | Archbishop of Canterbury urges Anglican church of Uganda to reject anti-LGBT law He recalled, "He wanted to attack everyone. I moved away, and then he lunged at an old man and woman and stabbed the old man." The intervention of the "Backpack Hero" A bystander named Henri, who has been dubbed the "backpack hero," was present near the playground when he witnessed the man attacking children. Henri expressed his belief that it was a higher power that led him to be there and able to intervene. In an interview with CNEWS, he stated, "All I know is that I was not there by chance." Watch | Exclusive inside view of the INS Hansa Goa, home to a wide-range fleet of Naval aircraft × Henri further explained, "On my journey to the cathedrals, I crossed paths with this man, and I acted instinctively. It was unthinkable to do nothing." Video footage shared on social media platforms shows Henri attempting to block the assailant using one of his backpacks. He even pursued the attacker into the playground and threw one of his bags at him. Henri described feeling a strong force within him, guiding his actions. Trusting divine guidance Henri revealed, "I let myself be guided by providence and the Virgin Mary. I said my adieu. They would decide what would happen." He also mentioned that other young individuals joined him in pursuing the attacker, aiming to scare him and make it clear that he could not continue his harmful actions. As the investigation progresses, authorities will continue to gather evidence and seek further clarity on the motives behind the attack. The heroic actions of bystanders like Henri demonstrate the resilience and courage of individuals in the face of such tragic events. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Annecy knife attack: Man held for stabbing 4 children in French resort faces attempted murder charges

<p>A 24-year-old has been hailed as "the backpack hero" - "le héros au sac a dos" because of the courage he showed when at least four preschool children and two adults were injured in a knife attack which took place by a lake in the French Alps on Thursday (June 8).&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Syrian refugee armed with a knife stabbed the kids, and was even captured in camera.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But "the backpack hero" who said his name was Henri and was near a playground when he saw the man attacking children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He suggested that it was God's will that he was there and able to intervene. The philosophy and management student told CNEWS, "All I know is that I was not there by chance."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"On my journey to the cathedrals I crossed paths with this man and I have acted instinctively. It was unthinkable to do nothing," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-knife-attack-video-shows-terrifying-moments-when-man-stabbed-a-child-multiple-times-602272">France knife attack: Video shows terrifying moment when man stabbed a child multiple times</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In a video footage, share on social media platforms, Henri was seen trying to block the assailant with one of his two backpacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He even pursued the man into the playground and threw one of his bags at the attacker. He said that he had felt a strong force inside him pushing him to act.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "I let myself be guided by providence and the Virgin Mary. I said my adieu. They would decide what would happen."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Henri further added that other young people had also pursued the attacker. "We tried to scare him and make clear he could not do what he wanted," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch this report:</strong>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The suspect was seen in the videos, he was seen running around the park on the banks of Lake Annecy wearing a bandana and sunglasses. He was attacking people randomly.</p>

<p>He was arrested by armed police at the scene and is being questioned by the authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former professional footballer Anthony Le Tallec, who was running in the park, told the local Dauphine Libere newspaper that he "wanted to attack everyone. I moved away and he lunged at an old man and woman and stabbed the old man".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-knife-attack-what-do-we-know-about-the-stabbing-suspect-so-far-602398">France knife attack: What do we know about the stabbing suspect so far?</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Macron reacts to the knife attack&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday (June 9) that the health of the preschool children badly wounded in a mass knife attack was "heading in the right direction".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The presidency said that Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in the southeastern city of Grenoble, where three of the children are being treated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "Everything that I was told is heading in the right direction."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Attacking children is the most barbaric act there is" but also made clear his "pride" over the work of rescuers, Macron added after the visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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A 24-year-old has been hailed as "the backpack hero" - "le héros au sac a dos" because of the courage he showed when at least four preschool children and two adults were injured in a knife attack which took place by a lake in the French Alps on Thursday (June 8).

A 24-year-old has been hailed as "the backpack hero" - "le héros au sac a dos" because of the courage he showed when at least four preschool children and two adults were injured in a knife attack which took place by a lake in the French Alps on Thursday (June 8). A Syrian refugee armed with a knife stabbed the kids, and was even captured in camera. But "the backpack hero" who said his name was Henri and was near a playground when he saw the man attacking children. He suggested that it was God's will that he was there and able to intervene. The philosophy and management student told CNEWS, "All I know is that I was not there by chance." "On my journey to the cathedrals I crossed paths with this man and I have acted instinctively. It was unthinkable to do nothing," he added. Also read: France knife attack: Video shows terrifying moment when man stabbed a child multiple times In a video footage, share on social media platforms, Henri was seen trying to block the assailant with one of his two backpacks. He even pursued the man into the playground and threw one of his bags at the attacker. He said that he had felt a strong force inside him pushing him to act. He said, "I let myself be guided by providence and the Virgin Mary. I said my adieu. They would decide what would happen." Henri further added that other young people had also pursued the attacker. "We tried to scare him and make clear he could not do what he wanted," he said. Watch this report: × The suspect was seen in the videos, he was seen running around the park on the banks of Lake Annecy wearing a bandana and sunglasses. He was attacking people randomly. He was arrested by armed police at the scene and is being questioned by the authorities. Former professional footballer Anthony Le Tallec, who was running in the park, told the local Dauphine Libere newspaper that he "wanted to attack everyone. I moved away and he lunged at an old man and woman and stabbed the old man". Also read: France knife attack: What do we know about the stabbing suspect so far? Macron reacts to the knife attack French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday (June 9) that the health of the preschool children badly wounded in a mass knife attack was "heading in the right direction". The presidency said that Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in the southeastern city of Grenoble, where three of the children are being treated. He said, "Everything that I was told is heading in the right direction." "Attacking children is the most barbaric act there is" but also made clear his "pride" over the work of rescuers, Macron added after the visit. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France hails 'backpack hero' who fought knife attacker in Annecy

Some disturbing news reports of a devastating incident have emerged from France where a knife attack reportedly left several children injured on Thursday. According to reports, the stabbing incident occurred at Lakeside Park in Annecy, a town located in the French Alps. Four children and an adult have been injured in the unfortunate incident as details are still coming in.

Shocking news from France: Knife attack in Annecy injures five, including children

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France shocked by a gruesome knife attack on toddlers

Annecy knife attack: Man held for stabbing 4 children in French resort faces attempted murder charges

France hails 'backpack hero' who fought knife attacker in Annecy

Shocking news from France: Knife attack in Annecy injures five, including children