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Fatal stabbings at Belgian creche Fatal stabbings at Belgian creche
(19 minutes later)
At least three people have been killed in a knife attack at a creche in north-western Belgium, officials say. 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 children and one adult died after a man ran amok at the nursery in Dendermonde, north-west of Brussels, the interior ministry said. 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.
The man arrived at the creche with his face painted black and white and attacked the infants, before fleeing on a bicycle, local officials said. The suspect apparently had painted his face black and white.
Police have arrested a suspect, who is now receiving hospital treatment. Parents have begun the harrowing task of identifying children stabbed during the task at local hospitals.
As well as killing three people, the attacker also injured 11 more.
Three children are reported to be in a serious condition in hospital.Three children are reported to be in a serious condition in hospital.
One of those who died is believed to be a nursery nurse 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. 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 guy just went crazy," Mr Janssens said. "There was blood everywhere, it was unbelievable, real carnage.""The guy just went crazy," Mr Janssens said. "There was blood everywhere, it was unbelievable, real carnage."
The creche has been evacuated and local authorities have put a disaster plan in place.The creche has been evacuated and local authorities have put a disaster plan in place.
Town 'in shock'Town 'in shock'
Nursery staff told journalists that the attacker was not known to them.Nursery staff told journalists that the attacker was not known to them.
Officials said he had rung the doorbell at the nursery and told staff he needed some information.Officials said he had rung the doorbell at the nursery and told staff he needed some information.
When they opened the door, he ran in and began attacking three of the youngsters. 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.
Residents told the BBC that the town was stunned by the incident. He escaped from the scene by bicycle but was arrested at a supermarket
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."
PhotographsPhotographs
The creche looks after 18 children under the age of three.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".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.""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.Flemish TV station VTM had initially reported three children and two adults had died but the interior ministry later gave the lower casualty figures.
Are you in the area near Dendermonde? Have you been affected by what's happened? Please send us your comments using the form at the bottom:Are you in the area near Dendermonde? Have you been affected by what's happened? Please send us your comments using the form at the bottom:
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