A knife attack in Mulhouse, France, has left one man dead and several police officers injured. The assailant, a 37-year-old Algerian, was reportedly on a terrorism watchlist and had a deportation order. President Macron labeled the incident as an Islamist terrorist attack, and local authorities are calling for revising deportation policies.
Knife Attack in Mulhouse: One Fatality and Multiple Injuries Spark Terrorism Inquiry
Knife Attack in Mulhouse: One Fatality and Multiple Injuries Spark Terrorism Inquiry
A deadly knife assault in Mulhouse, France, has resulted in one death and injuries to five police officers, prompting a terrorist investigation.
A tragic knife attack in the eastern French city of Mulhouse has resulted in the death of a 69-year-old man and injuries to five police officers, sparking a terrorist investigation. The incident unfolded when a 37-year-old Algerian man, who was under a deportation order and on a terrorism watch list, launched the assault near a busy market at approximately 4:00 PM local time on Saturday.
Eyewitness reports indicate that the suspect was heard shouting "Allahu Akbar" during the attack, which has led prosecutors to classify it as a terrorist act. Two police officers sustained severe injuries, one to the chest and the other to the neck. Fortunately, one officer has since been discharged from the hospital, while the others are reported to have only minor injuries.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences to the victim's family and stated without ambiguity that the incident was an act of Islamist terrorism. He emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to combat terrorism within France’s borders. The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, as many residents, like Cemalettin Canak, expressed disbelief at the violence unfolding in their city.
Local authorities, including the mayor of Mulhouse, Michele Lutz, and Prime Minister François Bayrou, condemned the act, labeling it as a manifestation of fanaticism. Bayrou shared his thoughts with the victims' families and voiced hopes for the injured to recover quickly.
The suspect’s arrest revealed a complex background, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau describing him as having a "schizophrenic profile." Retailleau also noted that France had made ten attempts to deport the suspect, all of which Algeria had refused. He has called for a “new balance of power” with Algeria to reform policies regarding deportation and detention centers.
As the investigation continues, the attack has left many in Mulhouse and beyond feeling uneasy about their safety, raising critical discussions on immigration and security policies in France.
