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France to deploy soldiers after spate of attacks | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
France is to step up police and military patrols in areas frequented by the public following recent attacks, Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said. | |
He said up to 300 soldiers would be deployed around the country to boost security over the Christmas period. | |
The attacks, seemingly unrelated, in Nantes, Dijon and Tours have left more than 20 people injured. | |
In the latest incident, 10 people were hurt when a van was driven into a Christmas market in Nantes on Monday. | In the latest incident, 10 people were hurt when a van was driven into a Christmas market in Nantes on Monday. |
In Dijon on Sunday, a driver shouting "God is great" in Arabic ploughed into pedestrians, injuring 13 people. | In Dijon on Sunday, a driver shouting "God is great" in Arabic ploughed into pedestrians, injuring 13 people. |
On Saturday, a man using the same phrase was shot dead by police after attacking them. | On Saturday, a man using the same phrase was shot dead by police after attacking them. |
Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Mr Valls sought to reassure the public, saying there was "no link" between the incidents. | |
However, he said he understood the public's "strong concerns" and urged "vigilance". | |
President Francois Hollande has called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday and urged the public not to panic. | President Francois Hollande has called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday and urged the public not to panic. |
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says French authorities are playing down the idea that there is a pattern behind the three attacks. | |
However, many people will be asking themselves if there is a copycat element to them, he adds. | However, many people will be asking themselves if there is a copycat element to them, he adds. |
Mr Valls told Europe 1 radio there was "no link" between the three attacks and that security forces were dealing with individuals who acted alone. | Mr Valls told Europe 1 radio there was "no link" between the three attacks and that security forces were dealing with individuals who acted alone. |
"We do not minimise these acts," he said, adding that the government wanted to "reassure" the public and understand what had happened. | "We do not minimise these acts," he said, adding that the government wanted to "reassure" the public and understand what had happened. |
"The best response is to continue to live peacefully with the necessary vigilance of course," he added. | "The best response is to continue to live peacefully with the necessary vigilance of course," he added. |
The attack in the western city of Nantes took place at about 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT) with witnesses saying the van drove into a stall selling mulled wine. | The attack in the western city of Nantes took place at about 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT) with witnesses saying the van drove into a stall selling mulled wine. |
After the vehicle came to a halt, the driver stabbed himself in the chest several times, causing himself serious injuries. | After the vehicle came to a halt, the driver stabbed himself in the chest several times, causing himself serious injuries. |
French interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said the motive was not clear. | French interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said the motive was not clear. |
"I wouldn't say it was a terrorist attack. I would call it a deliberate act. There's been a heavy toll, about 10 people wounded, five in a serious condition and one of those facing life-threatening injuries. | "I wouldn't say it was a terrorist attack. I would call it a deliberate act. There's been a heavy toll, about 10 people wounded, five in a serious condition and one of those facing life-threatening injuries. |
"As for the motivation for this man, he is an individual we haven't yet identified, the judicial investigation is just getting under way." | "As for the motivation for this man, he is an individual we haven't yet identified, the judicial investigation is just getting under way." |
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the attacker in Nantes seemed to be "unbalanced". | Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the attacker in Nantes seemed to be "unbalanced". |
The driver of the vehicle in Dijon was arrested after targeting pedestrians in five different parts of the city in the space of half an hour. | The driver of the vehicle in Dijon was arrested after targeting pedestrians in five different parts of the city in the space of half an hour. |
The city's prosecutor said the attacker had a long history of mental illness and the incident was not linked to terrorism. | The city's prosecutor said the attacker had a long history of mental illness and the incident was not linked to terrorism. |
In Saturday's incident, a man stabbed three police officers in the city of Tours before being shot dead. | In Saturday's incident, a man stabbed three police officers in the city of Tours before being shot dead. |
Anti-terrorism investigators have opened an inquiry into that attack. | Anti-terrorism investigators have opened an inquiry into that attack. |