Two children and an adult are in life-threatening condition after a knife attack in the town of Annecy in south-east France.
Police say a total of four children and one adult were injured in the attack in a playground in the Alpine town.
The children are all around three years of age.
French President Emmanuel Macron said those badly hurt were "between life and death".
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said a suspect had been arrested "thanks to the swift intervention of police".
Plusieurs personnes dont des enfants ont été blessés par un individu armé d’un couteau dans un square à Annecy. L’individu a été interpellé grâce à l’intervention très rapide des forces de l’ordre.
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) June 8, 2023
Local politician Antoine Armand said the children were injured in an “Abominable knife attack in a playground”.
Attaque abominable au couteau sur des enfants dans une aire de jeu à Annecy. Nous n’en savons encore que très peu mais tout mon soutien aux victimes, aux proches, aux forces de l’ordre et secours. Avec vous en pensée.
— Antoine Armand (@antoine_armand) June 8, 2023
Annecy Mayor Francois Astorg is urging people to avoid the Paquier area of the town.
The suspect is a Syrian man with "legal refugee status", police said.
He is said to be in his 30s. He was not known to the French security services and his motivation is unclear.
