Student killed and three injured in stabbing at French school

A student has been killed and three others were injured in a stabbing at a French private school.

A 15-year-old boy, said to be a fellow pupil, was arrested in connection with the attack after being overpowered by teachers at the scene before officers arrived, police said.

The suspect reportedly entered the grounds of Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides, in Nantes, western France, armed with at least one knife at around 12.30pm local time (11.30am UK time) on Thursday.

He then went to the second floor of the high school, where he attacked a teenage girl. She later died of her injuries, French television network BFMTV reported.

The suspect then went down to the first floor, where he attacked at least three other students before being overpowered, radio station Europe 1 said.

Local newspaper Ouest France said the attacker had been dressed all in black, and wore a helmet and balaclava.

Two knives, including a hunting knife, were reportedly recovered from the scene.

Students at the school revealed they had received an email from the suspect earlier in the day outlining unspecified grievances.

One of them, who did not want to be named, told BFMTV: "It's absolutely shocking. This is usually a very calm high school, and there have never been any problems of this type, even minor ones."

Two of the injured students were said to be in a critical condition.

A police spokesman said there was no indication of a terrorist motive.

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The suspect was not previously known to the police or security services, a source told Le Monde newspaper.

Education minister Elisabeth Borne said on social media that she was heading to the school with interior minister Bruno Retailleau to show ''solidarity with victims and the school community".

An official at the school, which is part of a complex that also features a primary and middle school, declined to comment.

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