Three youngsters in life-threatening situation after knife assault in southeast France

Three youngsters are in a life-threatening situation after a knife assault in Annecy in southeast France, police have stated.

Four youngsters and an grownup have been injured in whole, officers added.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated an grownup was “between life and death”.

The kids are all about three years of age and the attacker was a person, police stated.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stated a suspect had been arrested “thanks to the swift intervention of police”.

Mr Macron stated it was an “absolutely cowardly attack in a park” and the “nation is in shock”.

Local politician Antoine Armand tweeted that youngsters have been attacked in a playground, describing the assault as “abominable”.

The assailant was a Syrian asylum seeker, BFM TV reported.

Francois Astorg, the mayor of Annecy, stated he was on the scene and can be talking at lunchtime.

He urged individuals to keep away from the Paquier space of the city and stated his ideas have been with the victims and their households.

In Paris, politicians interrupted a debate to carry a second of silence for the victims, BFMTV stated.