3 dead in knife attack near church in France's Nice

A knife attack in the French city of Nice has left at least three people dead and several injured, French officials said on Thursday.

The attack took place in a church in Nice.

One elderly victim who had come to pray was "virtually beheaded". A suspect was shot and detained shortly afterwards.

Police have not suggested a motive for the attack in Nice. However, it follows days of protests in some Muslim-majority countries triggered by France President Macron's defence of the publication of cartoons that depicted the Prophet Mohammed. There have been calls in some countries for a boycott of French goods.

"I can confirm everything suggests this was a terror attack in the Notre-Dame Basilica," said Mayor Christian Estrosi, a former MP with the right-wing Republicans party, in a tweet.

In another tweet, he said, "I spoke with the president on the phone, he extended his gratitude to the Nice police and all the security forces, and asked me to extend his support to the residents of Nice, where he will arrive late this morning."

-- With inputs from Agencies