Three women stabbed to death in Paris metro, France, European capitals on high alert

France: French police arrested a suspect in the stabbing deaths of three women on the Paris metro on Friday, prosecutors said, as the capital city's year-end celebrations were in full swing.

The three victims were attacked at three different locations on the Line 3 metro tracks across central Paris. The attacks took place between 4:15 pm (15:15 GMT) and 4:45 pm at the Republique, Arts et Métiers stations and the Opera station, near the Marais district, according to the RATP authority, which runs the transit service.

Paris police said two of the women who were attacked were taken to hospital by emergency services but their condition was not critical. They added that a third woman had also been taken to hospital for treatment.

Prosecutors said police used surveillance camera footage and mobile tracking devices to track down the 25-year-old suspected attacker in the Val d’Oise region north of Paris. “He was arrested in Val d’Oise this afternoon after the geolocation of his mobile phone was activated,” they said. “Police are on the scene. Backup security teams have been deployed to reinforce security on the line,” it added.

Paris police chief Patrice Faure thanked investigators for the "responsibility and mobilization" that led to the arrest of the suspect. He said police arrested him at 6:55 p.m., less than three hours after the first attack. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised the various police services involved in capturing the suspect. Transport police have opened an investigation into attempted murder and assault with a weapon.

European capitals are particularly vigilant against any violent incidents during the year-end period, given recent attacks and plots targeting festive or religious gatherings. Last week, Nunes urged “maximum vigilance” in a message to senior officials.

Due to the "very high level of terrorist threat" and the "potential for public disorder," Nunez asked local officials to strengthen security measures across the country with a visible and proactive presence. Nunez specifically called for special attention to be paid to security on public transportation.