France : 5 injured in a stabbing attack in a children's nursery

Five people, including children, were injured Thursday in a stabbing attack in a nursery in eastern France. The security forces later managed to arrest the attacker.

French media reported that 5 people, including 4 children, were stabbed Thursday near a lake in the town of Annecy, east of the country.

Initial police information revealed that "the attack resulted in the injury of 5 people, including 4 children from a nursery school who were playing near a lake, while the attacker was quickly arrested," according to the "France 24" website.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said, in a tweet on Twitter, that "several people, including children, were injured in the attack, which took place around 09:45 am local time (07:45 GMT), in the town of Annecy."

"The attacker was arrested thanks to the swift action of the security forces," he added.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron, in a tweet on Twitter, described the attack as "cowardly".

"The nation is in shock," Macron wrote. "Our thoughts are with them, their families, and the emergency services."

"Darmanin and French Prime Minister Elisabeth Born are heading to Annecy," BFMTV announced.

After hearing the news, members of the French parliament observed a minute of silence, according to the same source.