Nantes: A dead and injured in a knife attack in school
A young person killed a student at a knife attack in a high school in the Western French city of Nantes and injured three other students. The school staff overwhelmed the attacker and probably prevented other victims, said France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau at the scene. After that, police and auxiliary services were quickly on site and tried to save life. « This is a drama that shakes the whole nation. »
The attacker, who is supposed to be a 15-year-old student of the Catholic high school, entered two classrooms in the school center around noon and stabbed a total of four students. First, he attacked a student who later succumbed to her serious injuries before attacking one floor deeper. As media reported, referring to the police, the school’s computer science officer stood in the way of the attacker, persecuted and overwhelmed him. Two knives were found in the student.
Shocked parents and howling students
The students, initially held in the classrooms, were allowed to leave the school in the afternoon. The police and rescue workers were on site with numerous forces. Media reported concerned parents and howling children at the school.
French military of the Operation Sentine, French police officers and civil servants from the city police are near the high school Notre-Dame de Toutes-Aides, where a student killed and three more were injured in a knife attack. Photo: LOIC VEVECE/AFP/dpa
The background of the attack is still completely unclear. The 15-year-old is not said to have been known to the police and the security authorities. Shortly before his attack, the attacker is said to have sent a message to all classmates about the school’s intranet in which he draws a dark picture of society, reported media. In the 13-page document, the student is said to have denounced a destruction of the environment, systemic violence and social estrangement.
Macron praises the teachers’ intervention
« I am in my thoughts among the families, the students and the entire educational community, whose shock and grief share the nation, » said President Emmanuel Macron. « The teachers undoubtedly prevent further dramas. » Their courage deserves respect. «
After an accumulation of often fatal knife attacks among adolescents, also in the area of schools, France had recently started schools with pocket checks. Prime Minister François Bayrou ordered the police to be intensified. Within four weeks, he also asked the government to contain the knife violence among young people. It is about regulations for buying, transporting and carrying stab weapons in which France can orientate itself to successful measures abroad.
Prime Minister complains of excessive violence among young people
« This drama once again illustrates the excessive violence that prevails in part of our youth, » said the premier. « It means that we ask ourselves fundamental questions about upbringing, leaning and respect for human life. »
Shots from passing car meet « Café Europe »
The public prosecutor initially did not comment on the content of the investigation and postponed a press conference that was initially planned in the evening. There will be information on Friday, said the Interior Minister. Even if there is no indication of a terrorist background, the anti-terrorist prosecutor will also look at the case, among other things with a view to the explanation sent by the attacker.
