France has declared a state of emergency after at least three people died and several others were left injured after a knife attack inside the Notre-Dame church in Nice in a suspected terrorist attack.

Nice-Matin reports that a person of around 70 years old was beheaded inside the Notre-Dame basilica and another person lost their life inside the church.

The attacker kept shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest) even after he had been arrested by police, Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi told reporters.

A man who was armed with a knife and tried to attack police officers as he shouted “Allah Akbar” was also shot dead in Avignon just hours later, although it is unclear if the attacks are related.