A knifeman has been shot dead by police in southern France after five people were wounded in a hotel and nearby street.
The man, who was armed with two blades and a baton, ignored warnings by officers to drop his weapons in Marseille on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Nicolas Bessone described the suspect as a Tunisian national who had settled status in France.
The man was reportedly evicted from the hotel for unpaid rent, leading him to assault one person in his old room, before stabbing the manager, his son and three further people at around 3pm local time.
"It would appear that he blindly and gratuitously attempted to strike people," Mr Bessone told reporters.
After being chased out of the hotel by customers, the man was “neutralised” by armed police in front of a kebab shop.
Présent aux côtés des habitants, des forces de l’ordre et de secours, j’exprime tout mon soutien à l’ensemble des personnes touchées par l’ignoble agression au couteau survenue à Belsunce aujourd’hui. Je remercie les policiers nationaux pour leur intervention rapide. Je viens…
— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) September 2, 2025
The man died despite efforts to resuscitate him, France 24 reports.
One of the victims injured was in a critical condition and two others were also seriously wounded.
Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan praised police for their quick response, writing on X, formerly known as Twitter: "The security of the women and men of Marseille is my priority.”
Bruno Retailleau, France’s interior minister, visited the scene of the attack and the city's police headquarters on Tuesday night.
Mr Bessone said the investigation into the incident was in its early stages and that the motive of the assailant was not known.
Police cordoned off the area, a busy shopping district, and put up a forensic tent in front of the restaurant.
