Terror attack in Trappes and La Verrière: what is known, and the rights French rules give victims and their families, whatever their nationality

What happened

At about 10:30 on Friday 23 October, a man opened fire from a car in Trappes and La Verrière (Yvelines, west of Paris). One person was killed and five were injured, including a 12-year-old girl, according to the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (Pnat). The Yvelines prefecture warned that the count is not final: in the first days after such events the figures change. A 39-year-old suspect was arrested in nearby Coignières.

The Pnat has taken over the case. The offences under investigation include murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, aggravated by a racist motive. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called it a terrorist crime. Emmanuel Macron, who went to the scene in the evening, called it a "racist terrorist attack" and said it marked a "turning point", because in his words it was the first planned terrorist act of this kind.

What readers need to know: in the reports available on Friday evening, no new security measures or rules for residents had been announced. The mayor of Trappes announced a psychological support unit. The investigation is continuing, and the prosecutor's office will release further details about the motive.

Many of our readers have an immigrant background, and news like this is frightening. Below is what French rules provide for victims, witnesses and their families. These rights apply after any terrorist attack, not just this one.

If you were hurt or were nearby

116 006 is the national helpline for victims of crime. Calls are free, and the line is open every day from 9:00 to 20:00. From outside mainland France or from abroad, call +33 1 80 52 33 76, or email victimes@116006.fr. The service is also accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. It can refer you to a local victim-support association.

Treatment. According to service-public, medical care and psychiatric follow-up linked to a terrorist attack are covered in full, with nothing to pay upfront. For relatives, free psychiatric consultations and prescribed medicines require a certificate from the health insurance fund's dedicated service for attack victims.

Medical certificate. At the first appointment, the doctor must give you a certificat médical describing the harm suffered. It is the key piece of evidence for both compensation and a criminal complaint, so keep it.

Criminal complaint (plainte). Filing one is not compulsory, but it is useful evidence for compensation.

No news of a relative. After an attack, the government opens a crisis unit (cellule de crise). Its number is broadcast on radio, television and social media.

Compensation: the FGTI fund

Damage caused by terrorism is compensated by the state guarantee fund FGTI (Fonds de garantie des victimes des actes de terrorisme et d'autres infractions). The key point for foreign residents is this: if the attack took place in France, a victim can be compensated whatever their nationality, and relatives can claim whatever the nationality of the person who died.

How the procedure works, according to service-public:

• the claim is sent online or by post directly to the FGTI, with proof of identity, evidence of the injuries, a copy of the complaint or witness statement, and a RIB (bank details);
• once the claim is accepted as admissible, the fund pays an advance (provision) within a month, and further advances can follow;
• once the victim's health has stabilised (consolidation), the fund must make a compensation offer within 3 months of receiving the complete file;
• claims can be made up to 10 years after consolidation (for an injured victim) or after the death (for relatives). If there was a criminal trial, the deadline is one year after the judgment becomes final;
• disputes with the fund go to a specialist judge, the JIVAT, at the Paris tribunal judiciaire, where a lawyer is compulsory.

To pay for a lawyer, a victim of terrorism is entitled to legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) regardless of income. The application goes to the legal aid office of the Paris tribunal judiciaire.

If you see incitement to hatred

Public incitement to hatred, violence or discrimination on grounds of nationality, ethnic origin or religion is an offence in France, including on social media.

• Online content can be reported to the PHAROS platform (internet-signalement.gouv.fr) and to the platform hosting it. PHAROS does not handle emergencies.
• If someone is in danger right now, call 17 (police), 15 (ambulance) or 18 (fire brigade).
• Complaints can be filed at a police station or gendarmerie. Bring screenshots, videos and witness statements.
• An anti-racism association registered for more than five years can, with the victim's consent, join the case as civil party in the victim's place.

This is general information from official pages, not legal advice. For a specific situation, 116 006, a victim-support association or a lawyer can help.