(Nantes, France, January 27, 2026) —
A 23-year-old man of Indian origin is in custody after a violent stabbing in Nantes, France, that left a woman with life-threatening injuries.
- A woman was stabbed more than twenty times in the Bellevue neighborhood of Nantes.
- The attack occurred around 6:45 a.m. local time on January 26, 2026.
- Investigators describe the case as one of the most violent they have encountered in a decade.
A woman, identified as Nadia Hassade, was stabbed more than twenty times in the Bellevue neighborhood of Nantes, France, around 6:45 a.m. local time on January 26, 2026, according to reports.
The alleged attacker, a 23-year-old man of Indian origin, was apprehended by authorities. The investigation director stated that the tip of the knife used in the attack remained “frozen” in the victim’s skull bone, requiring significant time and effort from medical professionals to remove, according to reports.
Why It Matters
The severity of this attack, as described by the investigation director, highlights a concerning level of violence. The director stated the case “is among the top 3 in terms of violence” among all those he has experienced in “ten years in Nantes.” This suggests a potential escalation in violent crime within the region, prompting increased scrutiny from law enforcement and community leaders. The incident also underscores the challenges faced by medical personnel in treating severe trauma cases.
The Bellevue neighborhood is described as a “sensitive” area, suggesting pre-existing social or economic challenges that may contribute to such incidents. Further investigation will be needed to determine if there are any underlying factors that played a role in the attack.
“We spent a lot of time with the two doctors to extract it,” the director of investigation said, referring to the knife tip lodged in the victim’s skull.
Authorities have not yet released information regarding a potential motive for the stabbing. The investigation is ongoing.
