Knife Attack Wounds Police Officer in Paris Ahead of Olympics

A police officer was injured in a knife attack in Paris on Thursday in the upscale Champs-Elysees area. The assailant was quickly "neutralised," according to authorities, just days before the Summer Olympics' opening ceremony. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin shared on X that the incident occurred in the 8th arrondissement while police were responding to a call from officers securing a store.

Paris Police Chief's Statement

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez, speaking outside the flagship Louis Vuitton store on the Champs-Elysees, stated that the attacker pulled out a knife and threatened officers. He attempted to stab them multiple times and succeeded in stabbing one officer. Nunez defended the police response as "totally proportionate," noting that officers faced an assailant who was threatening their lives.

The condition of the injured officer was not immediately known. An official familiar with the case mentioned that the assailant was still alive and that officers had prevented him from causing further harm. This official spoke anonymously as they were not authorised to disclose details about the case.

Recent Similar Incident

This knife attack follows another incident on Monday when a man stabbed and wounded a French soldier patrolling Paris outside the Gare de l'Est train station in eastern Paris. According to French prosecutors, the attacker was taken to a psychiatric hospital.

France is currently under its highest security alert ahead of the Paris Games, set to begin on July 26. Paris police have implemented strict new security measures in the city centre starting Thursday to prepare for the exceptional opening ceremony, which will take place along the Seine River instead of in a closed stadium.

Darmanin remains in a caretaker role at the interior ministry until a new government is formed following a legislative election earlier this month.