At least ten people died and fifteen were injured in knife attacks in two remote locations in Canada on Sunday. Two suspects are actively sought.

Two attacks in two cities. Ten people were stabbed to death in the James Smith Cree Nation indigenous community and in the neighboring town of Weldon (Western Province) on Sunday, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said.

“Several other victims were injured, 15 of whom have been transported to different hospitals so far,” she added. The Saskatchewan Health Department has activated emergency protocols to treat a large number of critically ill patients. She also called for additional staff to support health teams already on the ground.

Two suspects have been identified and are being actively sought by law enforcement.

A first call

An initial call to police was made at 5:40 a.m. local time on Sunday morning. It reported a stabbing attack on James Smith Cree Nation followed by others. Authorities said “some of the victims were attacked by the suspects and others were attacked indiscriminately.”

The suspects were initially reported in the provincial capital of Regina, more than 300 kilometers to the south. The alert and search was then extended to the neighboring provinces of Manitoba and Alberta. This large region is half the size of Europe.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter that “the attacks in Saskatchewan today are appalling and heartbreaking.” “My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and with those who have been hurt,” he added.

The attacks in Saskatchewan today are appalling and heartbreaking. My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and those who have been hurt.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 4, 2022