France : Three people killed in stabbing in Nice

At least three people died (two women and a man) and several others wounded during a stabbing, which took place, Thursday, in Nice, France. The stabbing occurred at around 9 am, near the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption basilica.

The first victim, a woman, was slaughtered inside the basilica, while the second, a man, was fatally stabbed. The third victim was killed in a café in front of the basilica, where she had just taken refuge.

The police intervened by opening fire on the attacker. The latter was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment, according to French media. Mine clearance is underway in the area.

The National Antiterrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) opened an investigation, opened for «assassination and attempted assassination in connection with a terrorist organization»  and «criminal terrorist association». It was entrusted to the central directorate of the judicial police and to the general directorate of internal security (DGSI).

IMPORTANT#Nice : une opération de police est en cours. Évitez le secteur et suivez les consignes. Après avoir eu le maire de Nice @cestrosi, je préside une réunion de crise au Ministère de l’Intérieur.

— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) October 29, 2020

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced on Twitter the holding of a «crisis meeting» in Place Beauvau. Prime Minister Jean Castex left the National Assembly, where he was discussing the new health measures against the Covid-19 epidemic, to go to the Beauvau crisis unit, Le Monde reports.

President Emmanuel Macron is to visit Nice in the morning.

Reactions from the CFCM, the Great Mosque of Paris and the CCIF

The president of the French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM), condemned «the terrorist attack» in Nice and called on the Muslim community in France to «cancel all the festivities of the feast of Mawlid» (birth of Prophet Mohammed, editor's note).

Je condamne avec force l’attentat terroriste qui s’est produit près de la basilique Notre-Dame de Nice. En signe de Deuil et de solidarité avec les victimes et leurs proches, j’appelle les musulmans de France à annuler toutes les festivités de la fête du Mawlid.

— Mohammed Moussaoui (@PresidentUmf) October 29, 2020

The rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, Chems-eddine Hafiz, offered his condolences to the families of the victims «of this Islamist terrorist crime».

The Collective against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) also condemned «the terrorist brutality» which targeted the people of Nice, expressing the wish to «get out of this wave of violence and barbarity which is affecting France as fast as possible».

1- À #Nice déjà meurtrie il apparaît qu’il s’agit d’un crime terroriste islamiste. Je présente mes condoléances aux familles des victimes. J’ai une pensée émue pour eux et pour les blessés.

— Hafiz Chems-eddine (@chemshafiz) October 29, 2020