France: One dead, three injured in high school stabbing

A high school student in Nantes, western France, has stabbed four classmates on Thursday April 24, 2025, killing one and injuring three others.

The tragic incident occurred at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides High School in Doulon, a suburb on France’s Atlantic coast.

French police confirmed that teachers subdued the attacker before handing him over to security operatives.

Authorities arrested the student shortly after the attack and launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.

A national police official said the motive behind the stabbing remains unclear at this time.

The official also confirmed the suspect is currently in police custody and will face further questioning.

The police spokesperson said there was no indication of a terrorist motive linked to the violent act.

Security forces quickly sealed off the school and surrounded the premises as investigations commenced.

Images shared online showed police officers standing guard around the school’s entrance and surrounding buildings.

The school is part of a larger education complex that includes a primary and middle school in the area.

A school official declined to comment on the attack, saying staff were focused on students’ emotional care.

“We are now concentrating on supporting the pupils who witnessed the incident,” the school representative told reporters.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, offering medical assistance to the injured students.

Three of the stabbed students are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.

French authorities have not released the identities of the suspect or the victims at the time of reporting.

However, sources say all involved individuals were students enrolled in the same institution.

Local officials expressed shock over the incident and called for calm as investigations continue.

The mayor of Nantes described the attack as heartbreaking and assured residents of increased security measures.

The education ministry also expressed condolences and said psychological support would be made available for affected students.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin was briefed on the incident and is monitoring the situation closely.

Security presence around the school has been reinforced to reassure students and parents in the area.

Parents arrived at the school following the news, many visibly shaken by the incident.

Police have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information while investigations are ongoing.

This stabbing adds to a series of recent violent incidents affecting French schools in recent years.

Authorities continue to examine the suspect’s background, school record, and possible grievances leading to the attack.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook