BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Three Americans who tackled and disarmed a gunman on a French Train on Friday have been praised for their act of bravery that averted a possible terrorist attack.
Spencer Stone, a member of the Air Force, and one of the three who disarmed the gunman was injured in the incident that occurred as the red-train Thalys 9364 was speeding through Belgium.
Other two Americans were Alek Skarlatos, a member of the Oregon National Guard, and student Anthony Sadler.
Two other passengers were also injured in the incident on the high-speed Amsterdam to Paris train, which was later diverted to Arras.
The gunman was armed with a rifle and some bladed weapon resembling a box-cutter and opened fire before he was subdued. He is a Moroccan national, who has been under surveillance for his radical Islamist views, European authorities reportedly said. The suspected gunman boarded the train in Brussels.
Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel thanked those who foiled the attack in a twitter message.
French President Francois Hollande also thanked the Americans and a French national who helped to overpower the attacker.
The high-speed train operator Thalys expressed gratitude to the three Americans and thanked its staff for their efficient management of the situation.
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