Relatives of a cryptocurrency tycoon faced a terrifying ordeal in Paris when they were targeted by knife-wielding kidnappers.
Authorities have initiated a manhunt to apprehend the group of attackers responsible for assaulting a woman and her two-year-old daughter.
Video footage capturing the alarming incident depicts three masked individuals attempting to abduct the 34-year-old mother in daylight, forcing her towards a white Chronopost van.
The attackers can be seen struggling to pull the victim into the van, but to little avail.
The violent struggle took place on Rue Pache in the 11th Arrondissement.
But the woman owes her safety thanks to the intervention of the child’s father, Le Parisien reported.
He completely covered her, taking hits and punches – as well as what looks like a stab to his upper back.
The man intervened to try and stop the attackers – who quickly dash back into the van and flee the scene after a few tense moments.
A man can be seen hurling what looks like a fire extinguisher at the van as it leaves.
However, other passersby were reportedly afraid to intervene despite the screams of the victim.
The 34-year-old unnamed victim was accompanied by her two-year-old child at the time of the attack, police say.
It is not clear how the infant escaped being kidnapped.
The mother is the daughter of cryptocurrency CEO, according to Le Parisien reports.
The shocking daylight attack was over in a matter of moments, as the assailants left the van open and ready to escape quickly.
After the vehicle drives away, a few bystanders can be seen appearing to check in on the victim’s welfare.
One of the attackers reportedly lost a handgun in the attack, although it is unclear whether the firearm was real.
After the attackers fled the scene, the van was found on a street in the same borough.
The paper added that the Paris prosecutor’s office has called on the anti-banditry brigade to conduct the investigation.
