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One killed in Paris 'Islamic State' knife attack | One killed in Paris 'Islamic State' knife attack |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A knifeman has killed one person and wounded four in a suspected terror attack in central Paris, French officials say. | A knifeman has killed one person and wounded four in a suspected terror attack in central Paris, French officials say. |
The attacker was then shot dead by police in the Opéra district. Witnesses say they heard him shout "Allah Akbar". | The attacker was then shot dead by police in the Opéra district. Witnesses say they heard him shout "Allah Akbar". |
So-called Islamic State (IS) later said one of its "soldiers" had carried out the attack on Saturday evening. | |
Judicial sources told French media the attacker was a man born in 1997 in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya. | |
The sources said his parents had been held for questioning. | |
Interior Minister Gérard Collomb said the victim of the attack was a 29-year-old man, but gave no further details. | |
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted (in French): "France has once again paid in blood, but will not give an inch to the enemies of freedom." | French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted (in French): "France has once again paid in blood, but will not give an inch to the enemies of freedom." |
How did the events unfold? | How did the events unfold? |
The attacker began stabbing passers-by at about 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on the rue Monsigny. | The attacker began stabbing passers-by at about 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on the rue Monsigny. |
Eyewitnesses described him as a young man with brown hair and a beard, dressed in black tracksuit trousers. | |
The man tried to enter several bars and restaurants but was blocked by people inside. Police arrived at the scene within minutes. | |
They first tried to stop the assailant with a stun-gun before shooting him dead. | |
An eyewitness, named as Gloria, told AFP news agency: "We didn't know what was going on, we were quickly moved inside the bar, I went outside and I saw a man lying on the floor." | |
Jonathan, a waiter at a local restaurant, told AFP: "I saw him with a knife in his hand. He looked crazy." | Jonathan, a waiter at a local restaurant, told AFP: "I saw him with a knife in his hand. He looked crazy." |
He said a woman the attacker had stabbed ran into into the restaurant bleeding. The assailant tried to follow her inside, but was fended off and finally fled. | He said a woman the attacker had stabbed ran into into the restaurant bleeding. The assailant tried to follow her inside, but was fended off and finally fled. |
Two of the wounded in the attack are in a serious condition but do not have life-threatening injuries. | |
Later in the evening the IS group said it was behind the attack, in a brief statement posted on its news outlet. | |
How did French authorities react? | How did French authorities react? |
The anti-terrorism unit of the Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation. | The anti-terrorism unit of the Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation. |
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said police were on the scene five minutes after an emergency call and the attacker was killed "less than nine minutes later". | |
Mr Collomb praised police for their "cool response". He said his first thoughts were "with the victims of this heinous act". | |
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted (in French): "Tonight, our city was bruised." | Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted (in French): "Tonight, our city was bruised." |
"I want to tell them that all Parisians are on their side," she added. | "I want to tell them that all Parisians are on their side," she added. |
How has France been countering security threats? | How has France been countering security threats? |
France has been on high alert following a series of attacks. More than 230 people have been killed by IS-inspired jihadists in the past three years. | France has been on high alert following a series of attacks. More than 230 people have been killed by IS-inspired jihadists in the past three years. |
The deadliest violence occurred on 13 November 2015, when gunmen and suicide bombers struck various venues in Paris almost simultaneously - killing a total 130 people. | The deadliest violence occurred on 13 November 2015, when gunmen and suicide bombers struck various venues in Paris almost simultaneously - killing a total 130 people. |
After winning last year's elections, President Macron pledged that fighting Islamist terrorism would be his top foreign policy priority. | After winning last year's elections, President Macron pledged that fighting Islamist terrorism would be his top foreign policy priority. |
Defeating IS in Iraq and Syria must go hand-in-hand with anti-terror measures in Africa, he said. | Defeating IS in Iraq and Syria must go hand-in-hand with anti-terror measures in Africa, he said. |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? If it is safe to do so please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? If it is safe to do so please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or comment here: | Or comment here: |