UPDATED Friday, August 23, 14:00:

A woman in her forties was stabbed “about 15 times” by her partner in their apartment in the Moneghetti district on Thursday evening. Helped by her neighbour who heard her cry out, the victim was able to take refuge in the local Costa coffee shop, where she was given first aid by a local phamrmacist. After being attended by local emergency medical personnel, she was taken by ambulance with a police escort to the Pasteur Hospital in Nice, where her condition was described as critical.

The suspected perpetrator – who has had psychiatric problems in the past – was arrested shortly afterwards without a struggle, local French-language daily Monaco Matin reported.

The Jardin Exotique western approach to the Principality was closed to traffic for more than an hour and was reopened just before 20:00. An attempted murder investigation has been opened.

PHOTO: The Costa Coffee Shop at 37 blvd. du Jardin Exotique Google