2015 Thalys train attack


A Thalys train operating the same route,
leaving Brussels-South in June 2014

Location: On board Thalys train n°9364 in Oignies, Pas-de-Calais, France
Coordinates: 50°27'57"N 2°58'26"E
Date: 21 August 2015; 17:45 (CEST)
Attack type: Attempted mass shooting
Weapons: 9mm Luger pistol, PM md. 90 short barrel carbine, Utility knife, Bottle of gasoline
Injured: 4 (3 directly, including the perpetrator)
Perpetrators: Ayoub El Khazzani
Defenders: Damien A., Mark Moogalian, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Chris Norman
Motive: Islamist terrorism

On 21 August 2015, a man opened fire on a Thalys train on its way from Amsterdam to Paris. Four people were injured, including the assailant. French, American and British passengers confronted the attacker and subdued him when his rifle jammed. For their heroism, they received France's highest decoration, the Legion of Honour. The assailant, later identified as Ayoub El Khazzani, initially claimed to be only a robber, but later confessed that he had wanted to "kill Americans" as revenge for bombings in Syria.

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