Panic gripped a busy Paris street on Monday after a man armed with two kitchen knives attacked three women in broad daylight before being overpowered by bystanders and an off-duty police officer.
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Two of the victims suffered severe injuries, while investigators are yet to establish the suspect's whereabouts or motive.
French interior minister Laurent Nunez told reporters that the suspect attacked three women aged 19, 24 and 36 with two kitchen knives. "The man had been detained by an off-duty police officer. I pay tribute to him, it was a courageous act," Nunez said.
Paris police said the attack took place at around 11:30 am local time (0930 GMT). All three victims were taken to hospital following the incident.
The suspect's identity and motive remain unclear. Nunez said police had been unable to verify his identity and described his statements during arrest as 'incoherent'.
Video footage first posted on Snapchat and later verified by Reuters showed a man with long black hair, wearing a cream tracksuit and wielding a large knife in each hand, attempting to attack and stab a young woman. It was not immediately clear whether the woman was injured.
