At least three people have been killed in Nice (south east France) in an Islamist terrorist attack against the Catholic Basilica of Notre Dame, in the centre of the city.

The perpetrator entered the church after 8:30 am and killed the ward of the temple and a woman in a knife attack. At least another worshipper who was injured and was seeking refuge in a nearby cafeteria, also died.

Sources of the police confirmed to newspaper Le Monde that the attacker repeatedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest). He was wounded, detained, and brought to a hospital.

After visiting the place, the Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi strongly condemned the “Islamo-fascist” attack as he called for tougher laws against Islamist radicalism. “My thoughts are with all Christians in France and around the world”, he added.

Meanwhile, a was shot dead in Montfavet near Avignon after threatening police with a handgun. Sources said he also shouted Islamist phrases.

French President Emmanuel Macron immediately left Paris to travel to Nice, alongside other ministers. Parliamentarians participating in a Plenary Session in the National Assembly stopped for a minute of silence in solidarity with the victims. Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that the government would raise the country’s attack alert level to 'urgent', and protect woship places.

“This attack, as cowardly as barbaric, is mourned the whole country. Our response will be firm, relentless and immediate”, Castex said as he addressed the Parliament.

The leadership of the Catholic Church of France said the Nice attack was “an unspeakable act”, and added that “Christians must not become a symbol to destroy”.

The National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF) expressed its “compassion to the Catholic community of the Church of Notre Dame targeted by this murderous attack”, and reaffirmed “our wish to be peacemakers in our country, contributing to a peaceful coexistence”, quoting the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:9.

Increasing tensions around Islamist radicalism

The Nice attack happened 13 days after the killing of Samuel Paty, a teacher who had shown in class the controversial Charlie Hebdo depicting the prophet Muhammad. The calls to protect freedom of expression were backed by evangelical Christians.

Macron announced at the beginning of October new laws to fight Islamist radicalism in France, to combat the “Islamist separatism” of those who want to build a “counter-society” based on “teaching principles that do not conform to the laws of the republic”. This has led to harsh criticism and boycott calls from Muslim majority countries such as Turkey.

This attack happened less than one kilometre away from the place were 84 were killed in 2016 in another Islamist terror attack.