Key facts
- A man attacked three women with a knife on Paris metro line 3.
- The attacks occurred at three different stations: République, Arts et Métiers, and Opéra.
- Two victims were hospitalized but not in critical condition; a third later sought treatment.
- The suspect was identified via CCTV and mobile phone tracking.
- He was arrested in the Val d'Oise region, north of Paris.
- The suspect is of Malian nationality and was in an irregular immigration status.
French authorities have arrested a suspect accused of stabbing three women on Paris metro line 3 on Friday. The assaults took place successively at the République, Arts et Métiers, and Opéra stations around 4:15 pm to 4:45 pm.
Two of the victims received emergency care and were transported to a hospital, with their conditions not life-threatening. A third victim later presented at a hospital seeking medical attention.
Authorities identified the suspect using surveillance camera footage and mobile phone tracking data, leading to his arrest late Friday afternoon in the Val d'Oise region, north of Paris. Police chief Patrice Faure praised the "reactivity and the mobilisation" of investigators, noting the suspect was apprehended less than three hours after the first attack.
The suspect is reportedly of Malian nationality and was in an irregular immigration situation in France. He had previously been detained in January 2024 for aggravated robbery and sexual assault and was released under house arrest in July, subject to an obligation to leave French territory. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed regret that the suspect could not be removed from the country.
Transport police have opened an investigation into attempted homicide and assault with a weapon. European capitals are reportedly on high alert for violent incidents during the end-of-year period, with heightened security measures in place, particularly on public transport.