Knife Attack Leaves Two Wounded in France

Emergency officers intervened after a knife-wielding individual launched an attack at the Gaumont Cinema in Rennes, France, on Tuesday evening.

Police and firefighters responded rapidly to the scene, but two people were stabbed and wounded, according to radio station France Bleu Armorique. Rennes 24 reported that the perpetrator had been arrested by police.

Fifteen firefighters using five vehicles responded to the scene, and first aid was administered to both wounded individuals. According to the employees, there were not many people in the facility when the attack occurred. The cinema was cleared out for 15 minutes due to the tear gas, and then moviegoers returned to the line-up for their showings.

Several witnesses posted about the attack on Twitter, saying a man had entered the cinema and stabbed several people.

"Indeed the police arrived quickly, good reaction on the part of the staff of Gaumont," Twitter user Kevin Simon wrote.

Another Twitter user wrote: "Rennes knife attack when I left the movie [at] Gaumont. I'm fine."

Fire Chief Lieutenant Yohann Perrot told news site Ouest France that "the two victims suffer from various stab wounds … One of the men was beaten several times. Their condition is considered stable." The official added that "no major organ was touched."

An employee of Gaumont said that the fight started outside, and then the attacker entered the cinema, Ouest France reported. A man tried to stop the attacker, the employee said, adding that the police arrived quickly and used tear gas.