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France shootings: Girl hid under bodies in car | France shootings: Girl hid under bodies in car |
(35 minutes later) | |
A four-year-old girl has been found hiding inside a British-registered car in which three bodies were discovered eight hours earlier, French police say. | A four-year-old girl has been found hiding inside a British-registered car in which three bodies were discovered eight hours earlier, French police say. |
The three are thought to be British - a husband and wife, and a grandmother. They were found near Lake Annecy, a popular tourist destination. | |
The girl had been under the legs of one of the women. An older girl from the family was found shot outside the car, in a critical condition. | |
A local cyclist had been killed nearby. | |
French police say they are shocked and baffled by the brutality of the shooting, in the middle of the afternoon, in a popular tourist region, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Annecy. | French police say they are shocked and baffled by the brutality of the shooting, in the middle of the afternoon, in a popular tourist region, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Annecy. |
The girl found away from the car - thought to be seven or eight years old - was shot three times and seriously injured, and the younger daughter - only four - hid beneath her mother and was not even found until midnight, our correspondent says. | |
The younger girl was initially not spotted inside the BMW estate car, as local police waited for the arrival of the forensic scientists from Paris. | The younger girl was initially not spotted inside the BMW estate car, as local police waited for the arrival of the forensic scientists from Paris. |
It was not until 23:00 (21:00 GMT) that local police found out from the family's neighbours at a nearby campsite that the family had a second daughter, and launched a new search involving a helicopter and police dogs, one report says. | |
A major murder investigation is now under way, with French forensic teams and ballistics experts at the scene. | |
Some 15 spent cartridges from an automatic pistol were found at the crime scene. | Some 15 spent cartridges from an automatic pistol were found at the crime scene. |
Theories for the motive behind the brutal attack include an armed robbery gone wrong, a drug deal interrupted, even a family row, our correspondent says. | Theories for the motive behind the brutal attack include an armed robbery gone wrong, a drug deal interrupted, even a family row, our correspondent says. |
Prosecutor Eric Maillaud said the family was on a camping holiday on the edge of Lake Annecy in the Haute-Savoie region. | Prosecutor Eric Maillaud said the family was on a camping holiday on the edge of Lake Annecy in the Haute-Savoie region. |
"Given what we see, it is certain that a criminal line of inquiry is to be number one," said the prosecutor. | |
"After that, all theories are possible, it could also be in absolute a family drama, this is not excluded," Mr Maillaud added. | |
Head of the investigation Benoit Vinnemann said: "The three bodies found in the car appear to be the father, mother and grandmother. | Head of the investigation Benoit Vinnemann said: "The three bodies found in the car appear to be the father, mother and grandmother. |
"It is in any case a family, according to British people at the Saint-Jorioz camping site who reported their disappearance on Wednesday night," he added. | |
Identity search | Identity search |
The British Foreign Office (FCO) is trying to establish their identities. | The British Foreign Office (FCO) is trying to establish their identities. |
Mr Maillaud said the little girl, who spoke English, was found hiding under the legs of one of the women at about midnight local time (22:00 GMT). | Mr Maillaud said the little girl, who spoke English, was found hiding under the legs of one of the women at about midnight local time (22:00 GMT). |
He said the girl, who is being looked after by French authorities, was only found when special investigators reached the scene - long after police had sealed off the area. | He said the girl, who is being looked after by French authorities, was only found when special investigators reached the scene - long after police had sealed off the area. |
"She was hidden under the bodies for some eight hours and didn't move for the whole time," he said. | "She was hidden under the bodies for some eight hours and didn't move for the whole time," he said. |
He added: "The little girl spoke English. She had heard the noises, the cries, but she couldn't say more - she is only four years old." | He added: "The little girl spoke English. She had heard the noises, the cries, but she couldn't say more - she is only four years old." |
The older girl, who was taken by helicopter to hospital, was said to be in a more stable condition on Thursday morning, according to officials. | |
The older girl was initially reported to have died of her injuries, but Mr Maillaud, who had announced her death, later issued a correction. | |
The bodies were found in a car park in a quiet, forested area in the foothills of the Alps. | The bodies were found in a car park in a quiet, forested area in the foothills of the Alps. |
The identity of the cyclist found shot nearby has not yet been established. | The identity of the cyclist found shot nearby has not yet been established. |
Another cyclist who came across the scene at about 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday was said to be in shock. | Another cyclist who came across the scene at about 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday was said to be in shock. |
British consular staff are on the way to the scene to work with French authorities, an FCO spokesman said. |