A teenage girl died and three students were wounded in a knife attack at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides private school in Nantes, western France, on Thursday afternoon. The assailant was apprehended at the scene after being subdued by a teacher.
Authorities deployed a large contingent of police, emergency responders, and military personnel to the school, which was subsequently evacuated. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as students fled through the campus or sheltered in classrooms after alarms sounded around lunchtime. Parents were notified of the incident while their children remained secured inside the building until authorities began supervised dismissals at 15:30 local time.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the teachers’ intervention on social media, stating their actions “undoubtedly prevented further tragedies.” The school, which serves 2,000 students from preschool through high school, has implemented psychological support services. Nearby Rue des Épinettes remains closed as the investigation continues.
Prime Minister François Bayrou called for enhanced weapon checks in schools following the attack. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the incident as a “social phenomenon” rather than an isolated event, noting the suspect’s motives remain unclear. Nantes prosecutors will hold a press conference in coming days as the investigation progresses.
Une adolescente a perdu la vie, trois autres lycéens sont blessés, après une attaque au couteau dans un lycée de Nantes.
J’adresse mes pensées émues aux familles, aux lycéens et à toute la communauté éducative dont la Nation partage le choc et la peine.
Par leur intervention,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2025
