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

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Police officers stand outside the Notre Dame church in NiceImage source, EPA

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.

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

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

Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi with police at the scene of a knife attack at the Notre-Dame churchImage source, Christian 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.

Locals wearing face masks look on near the scene of the attackImage source, EPA

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.

A masked police officer looks out from the doorway of the Notre Dame church in FranceImage source, EPA
Forensic specialists stand at the entrance to the Notre Dame church in NiceImage source, EPA

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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