Tragedy Strikes in Nantes: Teenager Killed and Another in Critical Condition After School Stabbing
A devastating incident unfolded at a private school in Nantes, France, on Thursday, leaving one student dead and another in critical condition. According to reports from Le Parisien, a student allegedly stabbed four of his classmates at the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school, located near the Doulon town hall in Nantes.
The incident occurred at around 12:30 pm, with the suspect, whose status as a student at the school is still unclear, entering two classrooms before attacking his peers. He was reportedly subdued by teachers before police arrived on the scene and took him into custody. The French Education Minister, Élisabeth Borne, confirmed the incident on social media, stating that she would be visiting the scene along with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to express solidarity with the victims and support for the school community.
"It was a very traumatic experience," a student at the school told Ouest-France. "We were let out of our classroom at 1 pm and saw many students crying. We didn’t understand why." Another student in the terminal class described the scene as "surreal," adding, "We only see things like this on TV. We never thought it could happen in our school."
Emergency services, including firefighters and medical teams, were quickly dispatched to the scene. The school was evacuated, and a significant police presence was deployed around the area. A psychological support cell has been set up to help students cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.
According to Le Parisien, citing police sources, the suspect was in possession of a knife and had targeted multiple students. The motives behind the attack are still unclear, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with local officials, including Bassem Asseh, Nantes’ security councillor, and prosecutor Antoine Leroy, present at the scene. As the investigation continues, the school community and the wider city of Nantes are left to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy.
In a statement, Élisabeth Borne expressed her solidarity with the victims and their families, saying, "I am going to the scene with Bruno Retailleau to express my solidarity with the victims and my support for the school community." The French government has promised a thorough investigation into the incident and support for those affected. As more information becomes available, this article will be updated to provide further details on this developing story.
The incident raises concerns about school safety and the well-being of students. As Le Parisien reports, this is a tragic reminder of the importance of prioritizing student safety and providing support for those affected by such incidents.
Sources:
Le Parisien, Ouest-France.
