Panic spread across the Paris metro on Friday afternoon after a 25-year-old man carried out three knife attacks against women on line 3 within just 30 minutes. The attacks occurred at different stations before the suspect fled the scene. All three victims were lightly injured, and one of them was pregnant.
First attack on line 3
The first attack took place shortly after 4:00 p.m. on metro line 3, which connects Bagnolet to Levallois-Perret. For reasons that are still unknown, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed a female passenger before leaving the scene.
Arts-et-Métiers and Opéra targeted
A few minutes later, the suspect struck again at the Arts-et-Métiers station, stabbing a second woman before fleeing once more. Within 30 minutes, he carried out a third attack at the Opéra station, injuring another female passenger.
CCTV footage led to identification
After the third attack, the suspect escaped via metro line 8. Police launched an immediate manhunt. According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, officers from the regional transport security unit (SRT) reviewed surveillance footage, allowing them to quickly identify the suspect. His mobile phone was also tracked, leading investigators to his residence.
One victim was pregnant
Authorities confirmed that none of the three women suffered life-threatening injuries. Two victims were stabbed in the back and thigh. One of them was pregnant. A witness at the République station described seeing “a lot of blood” and said the wound appeared serious.
Terrorism ruled out
Police sources stated that the possibility of a terrorist motive was quickly ruled out. Investigators believe the attacks were carried out by a mentally unstable individual rather than being terror-related. The suspect is known to police for previous offences, including property-related crimes.
Suspect arrested in Sarcelles
The suspect, a 25-year-old man born in Mali, was arrested at his home in Sarcelles, in the Val-d’Oise department, shortly before 7:00 p.m., around two hours after the last attack. According to police sources, he was in an irregular immigration situation and had previously been placed in a detention centre between July and October. Several attempts to deport him had failed.
Interior Minister praises police
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the rapid response of the transport police units, highlighting their “exceptional knowledge of the terrain” and the crucial role played by the metro’s video surveillance network.
