The nation of France is under high alert after a suspected terrorist attack at an American-owned chemicals company has left one dead and two others injured earlier today (Jun. 26). Officials say one man was beheaded and his head was placed at the gate with a written message along with flags found at the scene that allegedly had Arabic writing on them.
French President Francois Hollande was out of the country during the time of the attack against the Air Products & Chemicals factory, but flew in from an EU summit in Brussels to address the situation. President Hollande made a public announcing, stating that the incident was a “pure terrorist attack” and details around the arrested suspect are continuing to develop. Several outlets are on the scene, including CNN, which delved into the happenings in France.
From CNN:
One person has been beheaded and two people injured in a terrorist attack at a U.S.-owned gas factory near Lyon in southeastern France, President François Hollande said Friday.
The suspect’s contacts with Muslim fundamentalists, and reports that Islamist flags or writings were found at the scene, point to a possible Islamist extremist motive.
The shocking episode comes on the same day as both Tunisia and Kuwait were hit by terrorists, the latter an apparent blast at a Shiite-affiliated mosque, an attack claimed by ISIS.
The AFP reports that the suspect or suspects detonated an explosive device, which caused the injuries. The head belonging to the unidentified 50-year-old man was reportedly pinned to the gates. One person was taken into custody but it not cooperating with the authorities according to the AFP account.
The man was not unknown to French officials as he was a target of an intelligence investigation related to terrorist ties years back.
France is still reeling from the Charlie Hebdo attack last January, sparking tensions between Muslims and other faitchs in the country.
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Photo: CNN
