One Killed, Several Injured in Suspected Islamist Knife Attack in France

MULHOUSE, France, Feb 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – A knife attack in the eastern French city of Mulhouse left one person dead and several others wounded on Saturday, in what President Emmanuel Macron condemned as an “Islamist terrorist act.” Authorities revealed that the suspect, a 37-year-old Algerian-born man, was on a terrorism watchlist and had been subject to multiple deportation orders.

The attacker, who was arrested at the scene, had previously been flagged in France’s counterterrorism database. Local prosecutor Nicolas Heitz confirmed that the suspect, whose name was not disclosed, was registered on the country’s terrorist watchlist.

Attack Near Mulhouse Market

The incident occurred around 4 PM (1500 GMT) near a busy market in Mulhouse, a city of approximately 110,000 people near the German border. At the time, a demonstration was taking place in support of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A 69-year-old Portuguese man was fatally stabbed, while several others, including parking attendants and police officers, sustained injuries. Among the wounded were two officers, one of whom suffered a severe carotid artery injury, while another was stabbed in the upper body. Three additional officers sustained minor injuries.

According to the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT), the suspect was heard shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest) multiple times during the attack, as confirmed by witnesses.

France’s Response

Following the incident, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

“There is no doubt that this was an Islamist terrorist act,” he stated, offering condolences to the victim’s family and pledging full national support.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau noted that France had attempted to expel the suspect 10 times, but Algeria repeatedly refused to accept him.

“Once again, Islamist terrorism has struck, and once again, migration issues are at the root of this attack,” Retailleau said in an interview with French broadcaster TF1.

As night fell, forensic police continued their investigation at the crime scene, which was secured by military personnel. Mulhouse Mayor Michèle Lutz called the attack a “horrific act” in a statement on Facebook.

Rising Terror Concerns

France has recently faced a series of knife attacks linked to terrorism.

• January 2025: A 32-year-old man wounded a person in a supermarket in Apt, southern France. He was later charged with attempted murder in connection with terrorism.
• December 2023: A suspect fatally stabbed a German tourist near the Eiffel Tower and was charged with committing a terrorist attack.

PNAT has launched an investigation into the Mulhouse attack on charges of murder and attempted murder linked to terrorism.