File photo of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. (Agence France-Presse)
Paris:
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called Tuesday for "vigilance" after the country was hit by three bizarre attacks in quick succession, sparking fears of possible copycat action.
The latest incident in the western city of Nantes saw a driver plough into a Christmas market on Monday evening, injuring 10 people before stabbing himself repeatedly and being arrested, a day after a similar attack in another French town saw 13 hurt.
And on Saturday, a man was shot dead after walking into a police station in the central town of Joue-les-Tours and attacking three officers with a knife, two of whom were seriously injured.
The man reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greater") during the assault and had recently posted a flag of the Islamic State group on his Facebook page, prompting concerns that the attack was motivated by Islamic extremism.
Valls told Europe 1 radio there was "no link" between the incidents. Both car rampages appeared to have been committed by people with psychological problems.
"The best response is to continue to live peacefully with the necessary vigilance of course," he said.
Valls was due to meet with several ministers on Tuesday morning to "take measures if they are necessary".
The latest incident in the western city of Nantes saw a driver plough into a Christmas market on Monday evening, injuring 10 people before stabbing himself repeatedly and being arrested, a day after a similar attack in another French town saw 13 hurt.
And on Saturday, a man was shot dead after walking into a police station in the central town of Joue-les-Tours and attacking three officers with a knife, two of whom were seriously injured.
The man reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greater") during the assault and had recently posted a flag of the Islamic State group on his Facebook page, prompting concerns that the attack was motivated by Islamic extremism.
Valls told Europe 1 radio there was "no link" between the incidents. Both car rampages appeared to have been committed by people with psychological problems.
"The best response is to continue to live peacefully with the necessary vigilance of course," he said.
Valls was due to meet with several ministers on Tuesday morning to "take measures if they are necessary".
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