3-2-2024 (PARIS) Three individuals were wounded on Saturday (Feb 3) in a knife attack at Paris’s Gare de Lyon railway station, a significant transportation hub, according to the police. The authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the incident and placed him in custody.
The assailant, identified as a Malian national, initiated a stabbing spree at approximately 7:35 am (0635 GMT) at the station, which serves both domestic and international trains heading towards Switzerland and Italy.
One victim sustained severe injuries to the abdomen, while the other two suffered minor wounds, as stated by the police.
At this stage, the incident is not being treated as a terrorist attack, and an investigation has been launched.
Sources suggest that the perpetrator appeared to be homeless and suffering from psychological issues.
Paris prosecutors have stated that the suspect is being examined for the use of a knife and a hammer found in his possession.
During the attack, the suspect did not utter any religious slogans, according to a police source. He presented an Italian driving license to the authorities, which indicated his date of birth as January 1, 1992.
Passers-by managed to subdue the attacker before railway police arrived at the scene, as confirmed by the police source.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin expressed gratitude towards those who intervened and apprehended the individual responsible for this reprehensible act.
The motives behind the attack remain unclear.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an inquiry into the incident, while the national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office is monitoring the proceedings at this stage.
This assault occurred less than six months before Paris is set to host the 2024 Olympics, with an expected influx of 15 million visitors.
Gare de Lyon, France’s largest mainline rail hub, sees over 100 million passengers passing through each year.
Rail operator SNCF announced that the area between halls one and three of the station was temporarily inaccessible.
Services to the Paris region experienced delays, according to SNCF, referring to the incident as “an act of criminal intent.”
