Knife attack in France leaves 3 dead and 1 beheaded near church (Video)

At least three people are reported to have died in a knife attack in the French city of Nice. France's anti-terrorism prosecutor's department has launched an investigation into the attack.(PIC-UNI)

French police on Thursday morning said at least three people had been killed in a knife attack in the city of Nice, with several others injured.

Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said the suspect behind the attack had been arrested. Estrosi said it appeared that the incident had been a terrorist attack on the city's Basilica of Notre-Dame.

"I ask the people of Nice to avoid the area to let the police and the emergency services work," wrote Estrosi.

Speaking to reporters, the mayor said the man suspected of carrying out the attack had been shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) after his arrest. He added that French President Emmanuel Macron would be arriving in the city.

The individual, who was shot and injured by police, left "no doubt... about the meaning of his action," Estrosi said. He added that the victims had been killed "in a horrible way."

French broadcaster Europe 1 reported that a man had attacked several people and that the fatalities included a woman who had been decapitated.

Two of the victims are believed to have died in the church while another escaped but later succumbed to injuries they had sustained.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said a police operation was underway and that he would be chairing a crisis meeting. France's anti-terrorism prosecutor's department said it was investigating the attack. 

It is believed that the attacker was acting alone and police are not thought to be searching for other assailants.

The incident took place  less than a kilometer (just over half a mile) from the site where an attacker in 2016 plowed a truck into a Bastille Day crowd, killing dozens.