Teen killed, 16 wounded in mass stabbing attack at French party

A 16-year-old boy was killed and at least 16 other partygoers were wounded in a mass slashing attack at a private party in a rural French town — with the culprits still on the loose Sunday.

The horrifying attack took place around 2 a.m. Sunday in the small town of Crépol in southeastern France, where authorities said a mob of about 10 knife-wielding thugs forced their way into the private event went on a deadly stabbing spree, local news outlet ACTU17 reported.

“They did not come to have fun but to cause harm,” Crépol Mayor Martine Lagut told the outlet.

“These are 16, 17-year-old children from the surrounding villages who were there. Parents have already come to pick up their children, but some found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Lagut said.

“They were leaving and these people arrived with knives to attack them.”

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The mayor described the event as “a very simple ball with a sound system organized by the village festival committee.”

The slain teen, a member of the FC Romas-Peage rugby club, was identified only as Thomas in a Facebook post by the team on Sunday.

“What to say about the barbarity and tragedy that is upon us this morning,” the club wrote. “The players got together and decided to honor Thomas’ memory by playing despite the sadness this afternoon to pay him tribute. A minute of silence will be celebrated in his memory before the [game].”

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Authorities said all of the injured partygoers were between 16 and 65 years old, ACTU17 reported.

Two of the victims — a 28-year-old man who was stabbed in the chest and a 23-year-old who was also slashed — were in critical condition.

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Among those who were injured was a security guard at the event.

The mass assault left the tiny town of just under 600 people in shock.

Police have not revealed a motive, but said the knife-wielding gang tried to crash the party but were turned away — then forced their way in and began attacking the victims before fleeing.