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Infants stabbed at Belgian creche Infants stabbed at Belgian creche
(about 2 hours later)
Two infants and an adult have been killed and 10 other people wounded in a knife attack at a creche in north-western Belgium. Two pre-school children and an adult have been killed and 13 other people wounded in a knife attack at a creche in north-western Belgium.
A man reportedly tricked his way into the nursery in Dendermonde where he ran amok inside before escaping. He was later captured at a local supermarket. A man who had painted his face black and white reportedly tricked his way into the nursery in Dendermonde, where he ran amok before escaping.
The suspect apparently had painted his face black and white. A suspect was arrested at a nearby shop and will appear in court later.
Parents have begun the harrowing task of identifying children stabbed during the attack at local hospitals. Parents have been asked to identify their children from photographs taken at local hospitals.
There was blood everywhere, it was unbelievable, real carnage Theo Janssens Deputy mayor 'Great brutality'
Three children are reported to be in a serious condition in hospital. Dr Ignace Demeyer, director of a nearby hospital, told the Associated Press that 10 children had been brought in needing surgery.
One of those who died is believed to be a nursery employee and Dendermonde's deputy mayor, Theo Janssens, said several adults had been injured as they tried to put themselves between the attacker and the children. The whole city is united in support for the parents who are in deep grief Buyse PietMayor
"The guy just went crazy," Mr Janssens said. "There was blood everywhere, it was unbelievable, real carnage." "All the kids had multiple stab wounds on their legs, arms and all over their bodies," he said.
The creche has been evacuated and local authorities have put a disaster plan in place. Two women - believed to be nursery workers - and another child were also hurt in the attack.
Town 'in shock' The woman who was killed was also working at the creche at the time.
Nursery staff told journalists that the attacker, believed to be in his thirties, was not known to them. Officials said the adults had been injured as they tried to put themselves between the attacker and the children.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7847675.stm">In pictures: Belgian stabbing Officials said he had rung the doorbell at the Fabeltjesland (English: Storyland) nursery at 1000 local time (0900 GMT) and told staff he needed some information. "An act of great brutality has happened here against our weakest citizens," said Dendermonde's mayor, Buyse Piet.
"The whole city is united in support for the parents who are in deep grief."
The creche was evacuated soon after the incident and local authorities put a disaster plan in place.
Town in shock
Nursery staff told journalists that the attacker was not known to them.
In pictures: Belgian stabbing
Officials said he rang the doorbell at the Fabeltjesland nursery at 1000 local time (0900 GMT) and told staff he needed some information.
When they opened the door, he ran in and began attacking three of the infants.When they opened the door, he ran in and began attacking three of the infants.
"He quickly pulled out a knife and started using it on the children," said local prosecutor Christian Du Four."He quickly pulled out a knife and started using it on the children," said local prosecutor Christian Du Four.
"He then went up to another floor and started doing the same thing again.""He then went up to another floor and started doing the same thing again."
The prosecutor said the man's face had been smeared with a white colouring but his eyes had been blackened.The prosecutor said the man's face had been smeared with a white colouring but his eyes had been blackened.
He escaped from the scene by bicycle but was arrested at a supermarketHe escaped from the scene by bicycle but was arrested at a supermarket
Residents told the BBC that the town was stunned.Residents told the BBC that the town was stunned.
Damien Vernon, a 43-year-old from Ireland who has lived in Dendermonde for five years, said: "It's just a sad day here, we're a small town and the crime figures are low here, we're just in shock."Damien Vernon, a 43-year-old from Ireland who has lived in Dendermonde for five years, said: "It's just a sad day here, we're a small town and the crime figures are low here, we're just in shock."
Photographs The creche looks after 18 children aged three and under.
The creche looks after 18 children under the age of three.
Police have been showing parents digital photographs of the youngsters taken to hospital, asking them to identify their children.Police have been showing parents digital photographs of the youngsters taken to hospital, asking them to identify their children.
Interior Minister Guido De Padt told a press conference he was "horrified by the events".
"Our thoughts go out to the families and staff of the creche," he said. "Many parents are in a state of shock."
The children and staff from the nursery who escaped without injury are now receiving counselling.The children and staff from the nursery who escaped without injury are now receiving counselling.
Flemish TV station VTM had initially reported three children and two adults had died but the interior ministry later gave the lower casualty figures.