Student killed and three hurt in stabbing at French school

The French prime minister, Francois Bayrou, has called for a crackdown on teenage knife crime after a high school student stabbed four other children at his school, killing at least one and injuring three others before being arrested.

- Angelique Chrisafis

The 15-year-old reportedly attacked fellow students with a knife during lunch break yesterday at the private Notre-Dame de Toutes Aides secondary school in Nantes. Teachers reportedly overpowered the boy. One female student was killed in the attack. At least one other student was in a critical condition in hospital.

Bayrou said: "This tragedy shows once again the endemic violence that exists in a part of our youth." He said: "Fundamental questions must be asked in terms of education, values and respect for human life."