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Suspected terror attack at French factory - live updates Suspected terror attack at French factory - live updates
(35 minutes later)
12.19pm BST12:19
One attacker killed
French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve is making a statement at the scene. An anti terrorist investigation is under way, he says. He names the arrested suspect as Yassine Salim.
The other suspect was killed in the attack by a firefighter.
Updated at 12.21pm BST
12.15pm BST12:15
Here’s Hollande’s statement at the EU summit in Brussels.
12.12pm BST12:12
All of the employees at the factory have been accounted for, according to a statement from Air Products.
Meanwhile, the French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, has been meeeting members of the emergency services at the scene.
#Isère @BCazeneuve à St-Quentin Fallavier avec les personnels de secours présents sur le site l'attaque terroriste pic.twitter.com/fW10YPUV7t
Updated at 12.21pm BST
12.03pm BST12:03
Haroon Siddique
The factory where the attack took place is owned by Air Products, a US company, headquartered in Pennsylvania, writes Haroon Siddique.
The company supplies gases, chemicals and equipment for products ranging from TVs and mobile phones to sports cars and running shoes.
Air Products was founded in 1940 and has grown to be the 276th largest company in the US with $10.4bn of global sales last year. It employs more than 20,000 people in 50 countries. Its French subsidiary was created in 1990 and it employs 400 people in the country across a number of sites. It is the third largest producer of atmospheric gases in France, with more than 15% of national production.
Updated at 12.22pm BST
12.00pm BST12:00
In his statement, Hollande confirmed that the attack happened just before 10am local time when two suspects drove into the factory. He said they attacked the factory “using gas canisters”.
Here’s a translation of what he said:
We have no doubt the attack was intended to blow up the building. The attack bears the hallmarks of a terrorist attack. A decapitated body was found with inscriptions written on it. There was one dead and two injured. The interior minister went to the scene immediately. The suspect who carried out this attack was arrested and identified.”
He did not give any details about the second attacker.
Updated at 12.23pm BST
11.50am BST11:5011.50am BST11:50
Speaking in Brussels Hollande says fellow European leaders have all express their solidarity with France after the attacks. He confirms he is due to head back to Paris after his statement. Speaking in Brussels, Hollande says fellow European leaders have all expressed their solidarity with France after the attacks. He confirms he is due to head back to Paris after his statement.
Updated at 11.56am BST
11.48am BST11:4811.48am BST11:48
Hollande says two attackers drove into the factory. “The attack bears the hallmarks of a terrorist attack,” he said. He confirms that a body was found at the scene with inscriptions on it. Two others were injured. The attackers were trying to blow up the plant, Hollande said.Hollande says two attackers drove into the factory. “The attack bears the hallmarks of a terrorist attack,” he said. He confirms that a body was found at the scene with inscriptions on it. Two others were injured. The attackers were trying to blow up the plant, Hollande said.
One person was arrested and has been identified, he said. One person was arrested and had been identified, he said.
Updated at 11.51am BST Updated at 12.24pm BST
11.46am BST11:4611.46am BST11:46
Hollande will return home early from the EU summit, an official has confirmed to AFP.Hollande will return home early from the EU summit, an official has confirmed to AFP.
“He will return early this afternoon and is in constant contact with interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve and the security services,” the official said, adding that he would make a statement to the press in Brussels.“He will return early this afternoon and is in constant contact with interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve and the security services,” the official said, adding that he would make a statement to the press in Brussels.
“The president saw the first images of the attack on the 24-news channels with German chancellor Angela Merkel beside him, who was visibly shocked,” an official added. “The president saw the first images of the attack on the 24-hour news channels with German chancellor Angela Merkel beside him, who was visibly shocked,” an official added.
Updated at 11.50am BST Updated at 12.24pm BST
11.44am BST11:4411.44am BST11:44
Officials in France have suggested that the head had been brought to the scene, according to reports in the French media.Officials in France have suggested that the head had been brought to the scene, according to reports in the French media.
ÉDITION SPÉCIALE | "Des élus avancent l'hypothèse que la personne décapitée ait pu être amenée sur les lieux" Gérard Fourgeaud, Bleu IsèreÉDITION SPÉCIALE | "Des élus avancent l'hypothèse que la personne décapitée ait pu être amenée sur les lieux" Gérard Fourgeaud, Bleu Isère
Updated at 11.46am BSTUpdated at 11.46am BST
11.39am BST11:3911.39am BST11:39
Peter WalkerPeter Walker
A live blog about the incident on the website of the local newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré has several snippets of information, mainly from unidentified sources, writes Peter Walker.A live blog about the incident on the website of the local newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré has several snippets of information, mainly from unidentified sources, writes Peter Walker.
The blog says the severed head found at the scene was on a fence near the factory, and had Arabic writing on it. The blog quotes security sources as saying “all the signals were on red for a possible attack of this type”.The blog says the severed head found at the scene was on a fence near the factory, and had Arabic writing on it. The blog quotes security sources as saying “all the signals were on red for a possible attack of this type”.
Updated at 11.49am BSTUpdated at 11.49am BST
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Here is an aerial view of the scene.Here is an aerial view of the scene.
Updated at 11.48am BSTUpdated at 11.48am BST
11.32am BST11:3211.32am BST11:32
David Cameron has condemned the attack as “appalling” and expressed his sympathies to Hollande, PA reports.David Cameron has condemned the attack as “appalling” and expressed his sympathies to Hollande, PA reports.
#Breaking David Cameron has expressed sympathies to Francois Hollande over the "appalling" terror attack near Grenoble, Downing St said#Breaking David Cameron has expressed sympathies to Francois Hollande over the "appalling" terror attack near Grenoble, Downing St said
11.28am BST11:2811.28am BST11:28
Here is a map of the scene.Here is a map of the scene.
Updated at 11.40am BSTUpdated at 11.40am BST
11.26am BST11:2611.26am BST11:26
Hollande is due to make a statement in Brussels. You can follow it here:Hollande is due to make a statement in Brussels. You can follow it here:
Updated at 11.26am BSTUpdated at 11.26am BST
11.21am BST11:2111.21am BST11:21
President François Hollande is to make an early exit from the EU summit in Brussels following the attack, according to unconfirmed reports.President François Hollande is to make an early exit from the EU summit in Brussels following the attack, according to unconfirmed reports.
Reports French President Hollande leaving Brussels to return to Paris after beheading near Lyon #FranceReports French President Hollande leaving Brussels to return to Paris after beheading near Lyon #France
Meanwhile, interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, who was already in the area, is reported to have arrived at the scene.Meanwhile, interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, who was already in the area, is reported to have arrived at the scene.
#Attentat #Isere : les journalistes attendent Bernard Cazeneuve d'ici une 10aine de minutes pour une déclaration pic.twitter.com/JbsrHnJ5Oz#Attentat #Isere : les journalistes attendent Bernard Cazeneuve d'ici une 10aine de minutes pour une déclaration pic.twitter.com/JbsrHnJ5Oz
Updated at 11.32am BSTUpdated at 11.32am BST
11.13am BST11:1311.13am BST11:13
Terrorism investigation openedTerrorism investigation opened
The French authorities have opened a terrorism investigation following the attack, AP reports. It said two attackers were involved, citing officials.The French authorities have opened a terrorism investigation following the attack, AP reports. It said two attackers were involved, citing officials.
Two French officials said the attack began mid-morning when two men crashed a car into the entrance of a gas factory in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier in south-eastern France, hitting gas canisters and touching off an explosion.Two French officials said the attack began mid-morning when two men crashed a car into the entrance of a gas factory in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier in south-eastern France, hitting gas canisters and touching off an explosion.
One of the attackers was arrested, they said. It was unclear what happened to the other attacker.One of the attackers was arrested, they said. It was unclear what happened to the other attacker.
In a statement, France’s anti-terror prosecutor said an investigation was opened into the attack, which he said was carried out by “a terrorist group”.In a statement, France’s anti-terror prosecutor said an investigation was opened into the attack, which he said was carried out by “a terrorist group”.
Updated at 11.16am BSTUpdated at 11.16am BST
11.04am BST11:0411.04am BST11:04
Police sources have told AFP that the decapitated head was covered with Arabic writing. Police sources have told AFP that the severed head was covered with Arabic writing.
The suspect entered the factory and set off several small explosive devices, the source said.The suspect entered the factory and set off several small explosive devices, the source said.
Police said it was unclear whether the attacker was acting alone, or had accomplices.Police said it was unclear whether the attacker was acting alone, or had accomplices.
“According to the initial findings of the inquiry, one or several individuals on board a vehicle drove into the factory. An explosion then took place,” said one of the sources.“According to the initial findings of the inquiry, one or several individuals on board a vehicle drove into the factory. An explosion then took place,” said one of the sources.
“The decapitated body of a person was found nearby the factory but we do not yet know whether the body was transported to the place or not,” added this source, adding that a “flag with Arabic writing on it was found at the scene”.“The decapitated body of a person was found nearby the factory but we do not yet know whether the body was transported to the place or not,” added this source, adding that a “flag with Arabic writing on it was found at the scene”.
A man thought to be the person who carried out the attack has been arrested, according to sources close to the inquiry, who said he was known to the security services.A man thought to be the person who carried out the attack has been arrested, according to sources close to the inquiry, who said he was known to the security services.
French prime minister Manuel Valls ordered increased security measures at all sensitive sites in the area.French prime minister Manuel Valls ordered increased security measures at all sensitive sites in the area.
Updated at 11.31am BST Updated at 12.26pm BST
11.00am BST11:0011.00am BST11:00
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Welcome to live updates on the aftermath of an apparent Islamist attack at a factory near Lyon in south-east France, where a man was found decapitated. Welcome to live updates on the aftermath of an apparent Islamist attack at a factory near Lyon in south-east France, where a decapitated body was found.
Here’s what we know so far:Here’s what we know so far:
Updated at 11.08am BST Updated at 12.27pm BST