Paris, France – French police have arrested a suspect after a knife attack at a central Paris metro station left three women injured on Saturday. The incident, which occurred at the Gare de l’Est station, has heightened security concerns in the French capital and sparked an immediate counter-terrorism investigation.
The Attack
According to Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez, the attack took place around 3:00 PM local time at the busy Gare de l’Est station, a major transportation hub serving regional, national, and international rail lines. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as a man armed with a knife targeted women on the station platform.
“The individual specifically targeted women, attacking them with a bladed weapon before attempting to flee the scene,” Nuñez told reporters at a press briefing. “Thanks to the rapid response of police officers present in the station, the suspect was apprehended within minutes.”
The Victims
All three victims were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Medical sources indicate the women, whose identities have not been released, sustained stab wounds to the back and shoulder areas. Two are in stable condition, while the third has been treated and released.
The Suspect
Authorities have identified the suspect as a 36-year-old French national known to security services for previous offenses unrelated to terrorism. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into attempted murder, with the Paris prosecutor’s office stating that counter-terrorism investigators are examining possible extremist motivations.
“The suspect made statements referencing extremist ideology at the time of his arrest,” a judicial source confirmed to AFP. The source added that investigators are reviewing the man’s background and recent activities to determine whether the attack was ideologically motivated or driven by other factors.
Security Response
The attack prompted an immediate security lockdown at Gare de l’Est, causing significant disruption to train services during a busy weekend afternoon. Police cordoned off sections of the station as forensic teams gathered evidence, while emergency medical personnel treated the wounded on site.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin praised the rapid police response, stating, “The swift intervention of security forces prevented what could have been an even more serious tragedy. All necessary measures are being taken to ensure public safety.”
Context and Reactions
Saturday’s attack comes amid heightened security alerts across France, which has experienced several knife attacks in public spaces in recent years. The country has been on high alert since a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 that killed 130 people.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed solidarity with the victims, stating, “Paris stands with the women attacked today. Such violence against women, in our public spaces, is intolerable. We will continue working to ensure our city remains safe for all.”
Women’s rights groups have also responded to the attack, noting the gendered nature of the violence. “When women are specifically targeted in public spaces, it creates a climate of fear that restricts our freedom of movement,” said a spokesperson for the feminist organization Osez le Féminisme.
Investigation Continues
As of Sunday, the suspect remains in custody and is being questioned by anti-terrorism investigators. Authorities are examining whether the attacker acted alone or had connections to broader networks.
The Gare de l’Est station has resumed normal operations, though security remains visibly heightened with increased police patrols throughout the Paris metro system.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the persistent security challenges facing major European cities and the ongoing threat of targeted violence in public spaces. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full circumstances and motivations behind Saturday’s attack.
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