French soldier stabbed in Paris while patrolling before the 2024 Olympics
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that a suspect has been detained, however, the reason behind the attack remains unclear.
A French soldier was stabbed outside a Paris train station just 11 days prior to the onset of the 2024 Olympics, where millions of visitors are expected in the city. Officials confirmed that the soldier’s injuries are not life-threatening and a suspect has been apprehended in connection with the incident.
During his regular duties, an unidentified soldier was stabbed while patrolling the Gare de l’Est station in Paris, as stated by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.
Mr. Darmanin shared on social media platform X on July 15 that the soldier is expected to recover from the attack and that a suspect was arrested at the scene.
“A soldier from Operation Sentinelle was stabbed while patrolling the Gare de l’Est station in Paris,” Mr. Darmanin stated. “His life is not in danger, and the assailant was arrested.”
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the soldier sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his shoulder blade. At this time, authorities do not believe terrorism was the motive, according to national counterterrorism officials.
Opération Sentinelle is an ongoing French military operation aimed at protecting the country from extremism and terrorism. Since a series of Islamic extremist attacks in January 2015 that claimed 20 lives and injured 22, over 10,000 soldiers and 4,700 police officers have been deployed. Soldiers from the Sentinelle force have been targeted in previous violent incidents.
Motive Not Yet Known
In another post on platform X, Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that an on-duty soldier was attacked.
“Thoughts are with the soldier injured this evening at the Gare de l’Est, deployed as part of Operation Sentinel,” he expressed. “Support and appreciation for our armed forces that are more essential than ever in ensuring the security of France.”
An investigation into potential motives for the attack is underway, and the identity of the alleged attacker is being confirmed before public disclosure.
As the Paris Olympics approach from July 26 to Aug. 11, approximately 30,000 police officers have been maintaining regular patrols. Additionally, about 18,000 military personnel are on the ground, stationed at a camp on the outskirts of Paris.
An estimated 15.3 million visitors are expected to visit Paris and its environs during the Olympics. The majority of visitors are anticipated to be from France, while approximately 1.9 million international travelers are expected in the city.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
