Four children and an adult were injured in a knife attack in a playground in the French town of Annecy, according to reports. Eyewitnesses say a man wielding a knife approached a group of children playing and began attacking them. The assailant, believed to be a Syrian refugee, injured three boys aged 8, 10, and 13, and a 12-year-old girl, as well as a 32-year-old woman who was accompanying them. The children were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while the woman received minor injuries.

The attack took place on Thursday afternoon near the town’s Plaine d’Écraz park. Witnesses reported seeing the man enter the park with a knife and approach a group of children who were playing in a sandpit. He then began attacking them, causing chaos and panic in the park. Some reports suggest that the man may have been targeting the woman who was with the children.

Police quickly arrived on the scene and arrested the suspect, who has not been named. According to reports, the man had a history of mental health issues and was known to the police. The motive for the attack is not yet known.

The incident has shocked the community in Annecy, a popular tourist destination in the French Alps known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Local authorities have called for calm and urged residents to come together in solidarity with the victims and their families. “We are all deeply affected by this dreadful act of violence,” said Jean-Luc Rigaut, the town’s mayor.

The attack comes amid growing concerns about knife crime in France, where there have been several high-profile incidents in recent years. The government has introduced a series of measures to tackle the problem, including tougher sentencing guidelines and increased police patrols. However, critics say that more needs to be done to address the underlying causes of knife crime, such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.