Knife Attack in France Leaves One Dead, Three Police Officers Injured

A violent knife attack in the eastern French city of Mulhouse has left one person dead and three police officers wounded. Authorities have launched a terrorism investigation after the attacker, a 37-year-old Algerian man, reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the assault.

The attack took place around 4 PM local time on Saturday near a bustling market. A 69-year-old Portuguese man, who tried to stop the assailant, was fatally stabbed. Two police officers sustained serious injuries—one was stabbed in the neck and another in the chest. A third officer was also wounded.

The suspect, who was already on a terrorism watch list, had been facing deportation. However, authorities revealed that France had attempted to expel him ten times, but Algeria repeatedly refused to accept him. He was arrested at the scene.

Officials React to the Attack

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, calling it an act of Islamist terrorism. He expressed condolences to the victim’s family and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating extremism, saying, “We will continue to work relentlessly to eliminate terrorism from our soil.”

At the time of the attack, the officers had been patrolling a demonstration supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many locals were shaken by the incident. “I’ve lived in France for over 40 years and never witnessed anything like this,” said Cemalettin Canak, a 55-year-old resident. “It makes me nervous to even go to the market now.”

Injuries and Investigation

One of the wounded officers, who suffered a chest injury, has since been discharged from the hospital, while others remain under medical care.

Mulhouse Mayor Michèle Lutz called the attack a “horrific tragedy,” while French Prime Minister François Bayrou said, “Fanaticism has struck again, and we mourn the victims.”

Visiting the scene, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stressed the need for policy changes, particularly regarding deportation laws. He argued for a “new balance of power” with Algeria, stating that the current rules need to be revised.

Authorities also disclosed that the suspect has a history of mental illness and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, adding another layer to the ongoing investigation.