No evidence linking attack at retirement home to terrorism: prosecutor

An assault on a retirement home for missionaries in southwest France was not a terror-related attack, French public prosecutor Christophe Barret said on Friday.

"At this stage we can't say exactly what the perpetrator's motive was, but what we can say is that there is no element linking what happened" with terrorism, Barret was quoted as saying by local media.

A hooded attacker, who is still at large, bound and gagged a 54-year-old woman guard at the retirement home in Montferrier-sur-lez and stabbed her several times. She succeeded in freeing herself and called police before succumbing to her injuries.

"The investigation is focusing on a local element, meaning somebody within the entourage of the retirement home," he added.

Police identified the attacker after investigators found an abandoned vehicle near the scene of the crime that contained a fake firearm, Barret said, without giving further details about the attacker's identity.

A large-scale police operation is under way.

About 59 monks who had worked in Africa as well as a few nuns living in the building are now protected by police, according to reports.

France, now in an emergency state due to high terror risks, has become a major target of frequent terrorist attacks following its military operation in Syria, Iraq and the Sahel region.

On the weekend, French police arrested seven men, five of whom are still in custody on charges of planning attacks at high-profile sites, amusement parks, coffee shops, religious sites and a metro station in and around Paris on Dec. 1. Endit