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The attack took place at the Notre-Dame church in central Nice around 9 a.m. local time on Thursday.
French authorities also confirm that three people have died after the attack.
According to Reuters, both police and authorities confirm that one of the victims, a woman, was beheaded.
However, Mayor Christian Estrosi of Nice informs Nice Matin newspaper that the woman has had her throat cut. The AFP news agency also reports that this should be the case.
According to the newspaper, it is about a 70-year-old woman, writes NTB.
There are also several wounded after the attack.
– Everything indicates a terrorist attack, says Estrosi, who was present at the church on Thursday morning.
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– Bestialsk
He described the killings as “bestial” and said the perpetrator had used methods similar to those of the attack on teacher Samuel Paty, according to the BBC. Paty was beheaded after showing cartoons of Muhammad while teaching freedom of expression, just over two weeks ago.
Two of the victims are said to have lost their lives inside the church. One of the dead is said to be a church servant, the mayor says according to the BBC.
The third victim is said to have managed to escape the church and took refuge in a nearby restaurant. The person had life-threatening injuries and died shortly after, writes Nice Matin.
Police write on Twitter that the situation is under control.
Samuel Paty (47) was beheaded
Arrested
The mayor tells the press at the scene that the perpetrator “incessantly” shouted “Allahu Akbar” when he was arrested, the channel writes.
The perpetrator is said to have been shot by police and taken to hospital, according to the Nice Matin newspaper.
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French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has called a crisis meeting and urges residents to avoid the area.
– A serious incident has occurred in the church of Notre-Dame de Nice. Security and rescue forces are on site. Avoid the area and follow the instructions of the authorities, writes the Ministry of the Interior on Twitter.
President Emmanuel Macron will head to Nice.
– I was talking on the phone with the President of the Republic who thanked the police and all the security forces. He asked me to convey his full support to the people of Nice, to whom he will travel during the day, Mayor Estrosi writes on Twitter.
A minute’s silence was observed on the occasion of the attack in the French parliament on Thursday morning.
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Horror investigation
A security zone has been established around the church and the police are investigating. French counterterrorism police have been asked for help, according to Reuters.
Huge raid after the teacher’s murder
According to Nice Matin, there must have been chaotic scenes in the church, which is on one of the busiest streets in the city, around 9 o’clock local time. Several shots must also have been heard.
Pierre, who works in a company next to the church, tells Nice-Matin that he witnessed the police action against the church from the office window.
– My colleagues got up and took a cigarette outside. They rushed back and said there was a madman outside. We heard several shots. About 20 of us seek refuge in the office. It is very worrying. We saw the police enter the church.
