Man drives van into Nantes Christmas market, injures ten

A driver ploughed into a Christmas market in western France Monday, injuring 10 people before stabbing himself, a day after a similar attack in another French city, as authorities played down fears of a terrorist motive.

At least four people were badly hurt, one of whom was critical, after the latest incident in the city of Nantes, the third attack in three days by individuals against civilians or security forces in France, sparking fears of possible copycat action.

A source close to the investigation said that, after slamming into the shoppers, the driver stabbed himself in the chest "at least nine times", causing himself serious - but not life-threatening - injuries.

A source close to the investigation said the driver was 37 years old and was known to police in connection with theft, handling of stolen goods and damaging a vehicle.

Authorities were quick to stress there were no apparent terrorist motives in the latest attack, describing the perpetrator as "unbalanced".

In both the other incidents, which took place in the eastern city of Dijon and the central town of Joue-les-Tours, the aggressors shouted "Allahu Akbar". In the Dijon attack, a psychologically unstable man drove into pedestrians while the agressor in the second incident was shot dead after attacking three officers with a knife.