hetismij2

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34023361

3 injured, including British and Americans. A Moroccan has been arrested.

PalenQ

Sad and hope no one dies - and I feel sympathy for all the hard-working Moslem folk in Europe doing the dirty work for low wages - let's not the idiot brain-washed thugs taint them all - again such medieval thinking as a very few of Moslems as a whole interpret the Koran that is sickening.

and let's hope Americans and others are not deterred from traveling in Europe and on trains - TMK there has not been one tourist killed by terrorists in recent years - maybe since the Bologna Train Station bombing that killed several young Americans and dozens of others.

Now Thalys and all trains I would suspect will have to tighten security and costs tons of money - why can't we rid the modern world of such primitive medieval idiots - I'd set fire to them all if I could.

outwest

Given that the guy had a Kalashnikov, it's amazing more people weren't injured. Bravo to the U.S. Marines who overpowered him.

I wonder if security screening for train travel will be next.

PalenQ

I wonder if security screening for train travel will be next.>

Yes - like Spain has done since the Atocha bombings and even before - airport-like security meaning you have to show up early - like Eurostar does now since it is a prime target for any terrorist.

outwest

Yes, of course we took Eurostar in May and I forgot about the security. But it's 'security-lite' compared to airport security.

PalenQ

Yes, of course we took Eurostar in May and I forgot about the security. But it's 'security-lite' compared to airport security.>

But I would think they 'profile' folks to do a more thorough search on? a young Moslem-sounding name may get more search than old American duffers?

And expect that security to be vamped up too.

outwest

Yes, I'm sure it will be ramped up now.

flpab

I heard they were embassy guards and could hear the guy loading the AK47 in the bathroom. The reports are sort of all over the place. One Marine was stabbed? He had a lot of ammo and thankful they were there and did what they did. I am sure this will ramp up security.

emily71

According to papers in the UK and Spain, the guy was carrying an Uzi, a gun/pistol and a knife so the Marine could have been stabbed. I just assumed a high speed trains in Europe had airport security like the Eurostar and Spanish trains.

annw

They tackled and subdued the villain despite being unarmed!

Take that, NRA.

You go, Marine guys and gals.

Bedar

Thank you, US Marines !

I found it interesting that he chose to attack the expensive, high speed train. That might be more significant than the terrorism angle. We'll have to wait to see.

Jean

OORAH!

Sassafrass

There is another thread running on this in the lounge. Wish they could be combined in this thread. Is that even possible?

janisj

There were three Americans 2 marines and a college student who lives about 10 miles from me . . .

pariswat

We should get Marines on every train - thanks to them.

Emily, there is absolutelty NO control on any Thalys or TGV.
Not even a Xray machine at the entrance of the trainstation like I've seen in China.

You come with as large a luggage as you like and that's it.
I hope they strengthen the rules.

At least a check of all bags in every trainstation. (It would create jobs too).

What a world we live in.

Tulips

Thank you to the brave people who stood up.

If there is going to be security at the high speed trains, you would need it for all trains. Otherwise the terrorists would move on to easier targets, such as commuter trains.

This Moroccan guy was known to the authorities for his extremist views. Not clear if he had been to Syria to fight.

Ackislander

According to the BBC this morning, they aren't Marines much less embassy guards. One was in the Air Force on active duty, one was in the National Guard (US) and one was a civilian.

The Kalashnikov jammed, and they twisted the pistol from his hand before bashing him over the head with the AK 47. He apparently slashed several people with a box cutter (Stanley knife) the favorite weapon of the 9/11 terrorists.

According to a French actor, the [French] train staff locked themselves in a First Class compartment and left the passengers to fend for themselves.

I think I will read the Times (NY) tomorrow to find out what really happened.

But Hollande had the grace to thank them.

Thank G-d we do not have to read what they are saying about this over in the Lounge.

janisj

>>There were three Americans 2 marines and a college student who lives about 10 miles from me . . .<<

OK the details were sketchy last night.

The three Americans were a US AF serviceman, a National Guard member -- and the college student I referred to in my original post. The Air Force member is also local -- and grew up only about 5 miles from me. The Guardsman is from Roseburg OR and lives about 1/2 a mile from my uncle . . . . and weirdly - there is nothing about this MAJOR event in the local paper today (?) - not a word. Front page headlines everywhere else in the world.

traveller1959

This is probably the best reporting so far, with video interviews of the involved persons:

http://news.sky.com/story/1539905/us...d-train-gunman

annhig

You've all missed the 4th man [briefly mentioned in the Sky story above] - a brit - who helped to subdue the terrorist. He was interviewed on Radio 4 this am and said how brave the american marines and student were, though he clearly played a part from what others said.

He also said that while those of them who are not in hospital were having dinner in a restaurant in Arras last night the Mayor came in and gave them a special award for bravery.

here's the BBC account which includes an account by a french actor who describes how close they all came to catastrophe:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34023361