One Dead, Three Police Officers Injured in Knife Attack in Mulhouse, France
Suspect Arrested, Terrorism Inquiry Underway
MULHOUSE, France – A knife attack in the eastern city of Mulhouse has left one person dead and three police officers injured , leading to the initiation of a terrorism investigation .
The incident took place around 4:00 PM local time on Saturday , near a busy market close to the borders of Germany and Switzerland . A 37-year-old Algerian man was arrested at the scene after reportedly shouting “Allahu Akbar” , which led authorities to classify the attack as terrorist-related .
Victims and Details of the Attack
The suspect seriously injured two police officers , one with a stab wound to the neck and another to the chest. A 69-year-old Portuguese man , who attempted to intervene, was tragically stabbed and killed .
Another officer, along with two other individuals, sustained minor injuries . One of the officers injured in the chest was later discharged from the hospital .
Government Reactions and Calls for Reform
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack, asserting there was “no doubt it was an Islamist terrorist attack” , and vowed to continue efforts toe eradicate terrorism from France.
Mulhouse’s Mayor, Michele Lutz , described the incident as a “horror” that had shocked the city, while Prime Minister François Bayrou mourned the victims, condemning fanaticism .
Concerns Over Deportation Efforts
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau revealed that France had tried to deport the suspect 10 times , but Algeria refused to accept him each time. He called for a reassessment of deportation protocols and stronger measures against individuals flagged as terrorist threats .
Retailleau also disclosed that the suspect had been diagnosed with schizophrenia , raising questions about his mental health and his ability to evade deportation despite being flagged as a security risk.
Public Shock and Concerns
The attack has deeply shaken local residents. Cemalettin Canak , a local resident of 41 years , said, “I’ve never experienced something like this. Now, when I go to the market, I will be a little nervous.”
Authorities are continuing their investigation as they work to strengthen security and prevent future attacks.
