At least one person was killed and two police officers injured after a knife attack in eastern France. While the suspect was arrested, French president Emmanuel Macron has condemned this "Islamist terror act."
The attack took place in the city of Mulhouse in eastern France. As per an AFP report, the suspect was a 37-year-old man who had already been placed on the terror prevention watchlist.
Based on a BBC report, the incident took place during a demonstration in support of the Democratic Republic of Congo - which has been seized by violence after the takeover of the Rwandan rebel group M23.
Speaking to reporters, France's national anti-terror prosecutors unit (PNAT) stated said the suspect first attacked the municipal police officers while shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest).
Witnesses further confirmed to AFP about the phrase shouted by the suspect. AFP added that the one fatality - a 69-year-old Portuguese national - in the incident was of the civilian passer-by who intervened.
Taking notice of the incident, President Macron said there was "no doubt the incident was a terror act," specifically "an Islamist terror act."
"I want to reiterate the determination of the government, and mine, to continue the work to eradicate terrorism on our soil," he added.
Mulhouse mayor Michele Lutz took to Facebook and stated that "horror has seized our city," while French PM François Bayrou stated "fanaticism has struck again and we are in mourning".
"My thoughts naturally go to the victims and their families, with the firm hope that the injured will recover," the PM added further.
