Police officers secure the scene of a knife attack at Place du Marche in Mulhouse, northeastern France, on Saturday, where one person was killed and several others injured. A suspect was arrested and taken into custody.Photo by Jean-Francois EPA-EFE
Feb. 22 (UPI) — One person is dead and multiple police officers are injured following a knife attack in a city in Eastern France Saturday, officials confirmed. “Horror has just gripped our city,” Michele Lutz, the mayor of the city of Mulhouse, said in French on X and translated to English by Google.
“A man attacked passers-by at the covered canal market with a knife; several municipal police officers who intervened to neutralize him were also injured,” Lutz said, while referring to the incident as a “terrorist” attack.
“This must naturally be confirmed on the judicial level. On behalf of the city of Mulhouse, I extend to the victims and their loved ones our fraternal feelings.”
Police took a suspect into custody following the attack, which occurred around 3:40 p.m. locally, news outlet L’Alsace reported.
The publication reported five police officers were injured, two seriously.
WItnesses reported hearing the attacker yelling a common Arabic expression during the attack.
French President Emmanual Macron also used the phrase “terrorist” to describe the attack while addressing reporters in French Saturday evening.
The attacker targeted police, CNN reported.
Mulhouse has a population of more than 100,000 people and is located around 16 miles from the border with Switzerland.
France’s national anti-terror prosecutor is now in charge of the investigation.