At least three killed in knife attack at church in Nice

At least three people have died and several others were injured in a knife attack near a church in Nice.

One of the victims, a woman, was decapitated, according to reports.

Municipal police arrested a person in connection with the attack, which took place at about 9am near Notre Dame Basilica, Nice Matin said.

Les pompiers en alerte avenue Notre-Dame. Au bout, l'église #nice06 #AttentaNice pic.twitter.com/5whIKn4t4n

— Grégory Leclerc (@GregLeclerc) October 29, 2020

The area around the church in the city centre has been cordoned off, and the public have been advised to stay away from the area.

Des événements très graves se déroulent actuellement près de l'église Notre dame de Nice.

Soutien aux forces de sécurité.
Évitez le secteur ! pic.twitter.com/MUuxnNqsmM

— Eric Ciotti (@ECiotti) October 29, 2020

The suspect was injured during the arrest and taken to hospital. Witnesses said they heard gunfire shortly after officers arrived on the scene.

ALERTE | Un événement grave a eu lieu à l'église Notre-Dame à #Nice.
Les forces de sécurité et de secours sont sur place.
Évitez le secteur et suivez les consignes des autorités. pic.twitter.com/EjzmPPVRHZ

— Ministère de l'Intérieur - Alerte (@Beauvau_Alerte) October 29, 2020

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that he had spoken to the city's mayor, Christian Estrosi and revealed an urgent meeting was taking place at the Ministry. Mr Estrosi described the incident as a terrorist attack.

Je suis sur place avec la @PoliceNat06 et la @pmdenice qui a interpellé l'auteur de l'attaque. Je confirme que tout laisse supposer à un attentat terroriste au sein de la basilique Notre-Dame de #Nice06. pic.twitter.com/VmpDqRwzB1

— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) October 29, 2020

A minute's silence was observed in the National Assembly after news of the attack broke.

Attaque au couteau à Nice: l'Assemblée nationale observe une minute de silence pic.twitter.com/MsHrIB4VBE

— BFMTV (@BFMTV) October 29, 2020