France attack: Pictures from the scene of deadly stabbings in Nice

EPA Police officers stand outside the Notre Dame church in NiceEPA

Three people have been killed in a knife attack at a church in the southern French city of Nice.

President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday's stabbings at the Notre-Dame basilica were an "Islamist terrorist attack".

A suspect is in custody.

Mr Macron later met police and emergency workers at the scene of the attack.

Reuters President Emmanuel Macron visits the scene of a knife attack at Notre Dame church in Nice, FranceReuters
Reuters Special forces stand guard near the scene of the attackReuters

Nice's Mayor Christian Estrosi, pictured below, said the suspect had repeated the words "Allahu Akbar (God is greatest)".

Christian Estrosi Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi with police at the scene of a knife attack at the Notre-Dame churchChristian Estrosi

An elderly woman and a man were killed inside the church, while another woman who escaped died later of her injuries.

Many on the streets of Nice were shocked at the attack.

EPA Locals wearing face masks look on near the scene of the attackEPA

The killings come two weeks after a schoolteacher in Paris was beheaded after showing his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

There have been anti-France protests in a number of Muslim countries after President Macron defended publication of the cartoons.

Security remains tight at the scene as investigations continue.

EPA A masked police officer looks out from the doorway of the Notre Dame church in FranceEPA
EPA Forensic specialists stand at the entrance to the Notre Dame church in NiceEPA

This is not the first time that Nice has experienced a terror attack. In 2016, 86 people were killed when a man drove a truck into crowds of people celebrating Bastille Day.

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