A driver ploughed into a Christmas market in western France, injuring 10 people before stabbing himself, a day after a man shouting "Allahu Akbar" ran down pedestrians in another French city.
At least four people were badly hurt in the latest incident in the city of Nantes, the third attack in three days by individuals against civilians or security forces in France, sparking fears of possible copycat action.
On Sunday a man drove into pedestrians on the streets of the eastern city of Dijon, injuring 13. The driver was suffering from a severe psychological disorder, a prosecutor said, easing concerns that the attack was inspired by Islamic extremism.
On Saturday, a man was shot dead by police after walking into a police station in the central town of Joue-les-Tours and attacking three officers with a knife while yelling "Allahu Akbar".
Authorities in Nantes stressed there was no indication of a terrorist link in the Christmas market attack.
President Francois Hollande has urged the public not to panic and Prime Minister Manuel Valls reiterated the appeal for "coolheadedness".
That attack in France's sixth-biggest city took place at around 7pm as people across the country thronged shops and markets in search of Christmas presents.
The van driver charged at a chalet serving hot wine, in front of which several people had congregated, a witness told AFP.
After slamming into the shoppers, he stabbed himself, causing himself serious injuries.
The three attacks have jarred nerves in France after repeated threats against the country over its involvement in the fight against Islamic extremists in Africa and the Middle East.
The man behind Saturday's attack in Joue-Les-Tours, identified as Bertrand Nzohabonayo, a Burundian convert to Islam, apparently shouted "Allahu Akbar" - an Islamic phrase meaning "God Is Greatest" that has been used by Islamist fighters in wars or by extremists when waging violent attacks.
Two police were seriously injured in the assault while a third officer was also hurt.
Sunday's attack in Dijon by a man shouting the same phrase sparked fears of more attacks by individuals possible responding to calls for violence by the Islamic State jihadist group.
A prosecutor in Dijon said the 40-year-old driver of the car who targeted passers-by at five different locations on Sunday had been to psychiatric hospital 157 times and had no known links to jihadist groups.
Share
