CNN –
Children were among the eight injured in a knife attack in Annecy, south-eastern France on Thursday, local officials said.
Four children suffered serious injuries, two of whom were in an “absolute state of emergency,” reported CNN affiliate BFMTV. A male suspect was arrested in connection with the attack.
According to the Interior Ministry, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne will travel to Annecy on Thursday with Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.
French President Emmanuel Macron said after the attack: “The nation is in shock.”
“Absolute cowardice this morning in a park in Annecy. Children and adults are caught between life and death. The nation is in shock. Our thoughts are with them, their families and the emergency services,” Macron tweeted.
Health Minister François Braun tweeted that his thoughts were with the victims of the knife attack. “All my thoughts are immediately with the people injured in Annecy by a knife-armed person and their families,” Braun tweeted.
“I applaud the rapid mobilization of the emergency services to attend to victims, particularly the Urgent Medical Aid Service (SAMU).”
Members of the French National Assembly observed a minute’s silence for those injured in the attack.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
French MPs observe minute’s silence after Annecy knife attack