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France train shooting: Americans overpower gunman France train shooting: Americans overpower gunman
(about 7 hours later)
Three people have been hurt after a heavily armed man opened fire on a train in northern France, before being overpowered by two American passengers. Three people have been hurt after a heavily armed man opened fire on a train in northern France, before being overpowered by American passengers.
The incident happened on the high-speed Thalys service near Arras, and the attacker was arrested at Arras station.The incident happened on the high-speed Thalys service near Arras, and the attacker was arrested at Arras station.
The interior minister praised the Americans, one of whom was seriously injured, as was another passenger. US President Barack Obama praised the passengers, who included two off-duty US military personnel.
The man arrested was a 26-year-old Moroccan. Anti-terrorist officers have taken over the case.The man arrested was a 26-year-old Moroccan. Anti-terrorist officers have taken over the case.
The weapons were said to include a Kalashnikov, a knife, an automatic pistol and cartridges.The weapons were said to include a Kalashnikov, a knife, an automatic pistol and cartridges.
One of the two people seriously hurt had a gunshot wound, the other a knife wound. French authorities said three people were injured, two of them seriously - one with a gunshot wound, the other a knife wound.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the attack took place at 17:45 local time (15:45 GMT) on Friday.
French media said the arrested man was known to the intelligence services. The suspect has so far refused to talk to police in Arras.French media said the arrested man was known to the intelligence services. The suspect has so far refused to talk to police in Arras.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the incident was a "terrorist attack". "The president expressed his profound gratitude for the courage and quick thinking of several passengers, including US service members, who selflessly subdued the attacker," the White House said in a statement.
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve travelled to Arras in the wake of the attack. "It is clear that their heroic actions may have prevented a far worse tragedy."
He said: "As always where an act that could be terrorist in nature is involved, the greatest care and the greatest precision will be used." Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel called the incident a "terrorist attack".
He praised the Americans who overpowered the suspect. The passengers included French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade who was lightly wounded breaking glass to sound the alarm, and Chris Norman, a British man living in France.
Mr Cazeneuve said they were "particularly courageous and showed great bravery in very difficult circumstances", adding: "Without their composure we could have been confronted with a terrible incident." He and two other men from the US were awarded medals for bravery at a restaurant in Arras, Reuters reported.
Mr Cazeneuve said the passengers were "particularly courageous and showed great bravery in very difficult circumstances", adding: "Without their composure we could have been confronted with a terrible incident."
French media said the passengers who overpowered the suspect were US Marines who had heard the man loading a weapon in a toilet cubicle and confronted him when he came out.French media said the passengers who overpowered the suspect were US Marines who had heard the man loading a weapon in a toilet cubicle and confronted him when he came out.
Mr Cazeneuve said the attack had taken place at 17:45 local time (15:45 GMT). Social worker Christina Coons from New York was on the train and told BBC Radio 5 Live she had ducked under her seat when she heard shots.
Mr Cazeneuve said he had also met French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade, who was lightly wounded when breaking glass to sound the alarm, and other passengers. She said she saw a man running through her carriage bleeding heavily from the neck who identified himself as a paramedic.
"My thoughts are with the wounded and with the passengers who are in a state of shock," Mr Cazeneuve said. She said: "None of these men were in uniform. They were just regular passengers, this afternoon, who stepped up to the plate as soon as they saw what was happening."
'Under control''Under control'
Initial reports suggested the second person seriously hurt was a Briton, but the UK Foreign Office later said there were no reports that British nationals were hurt.
Images shared on social media appeared to show a man being restrained on the station platform in Arras.Images shared on social media appeared to show a man being restrained on the station platform in Arras.
One photograph showed an injured man in a blue top and jeans lying on the floor of the train.One photograph showed an injured man in a blue top and jeans lying on the floor of the train.
French rail firm SNCF said there had been 554 people on board the train.French rail firm SNCF said there had been 554 people on board the train.
"The situation is under control, the travellers are safe. The train stopped and the emergency services are on site," the Thalys official Twitter account tweeted.
Thalys said several trains had been delayed in the wake of the attack.Thalys said several trains had been delayed in the wake of the attack.
France has been on edge since the attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in Paris in January, which left 17 people dead.France has been on edge since the attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in Paris in January, which left 17 people dead.
And in June a man said to be inspired by the Islamic State group beheaded his boss and tried to blow up a gas plant in southern France.And in June a man said to be inspired by the Islamic State group beheaded his boss and tried to blow up a gas plant in southern France.
Are you affected by issues covered in this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you affected by issues covered in this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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