Knifeman shot dead by police 'after killing 2 people'

A major police operation is currently underway at the Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles station after earlier reports of gunfire.

Local police are warning people to avoid the area while they carry out an operation, and unconfirmed reports from a French news channel say two people have died during the incident.

Eye-witnesses claim a man was seen brandishing a knife while others reported hearing shots fired.

According to reports from Agence France-Presse, two people were killed in the incident while the "assailant" was shot dead by members of the Sentinel Force.

The mayor of Marseille reportedly said the "number of victims could have been higher".

People at the scene took to social media sharing news of injuries and

reports of gunfire.

Journalist Damien Rieu said: "Several witnesses evoke shots and a man armed with a knife shot down at the station Saint Charles of Marseilles."

The knifeman is believed to have shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) before assaulting passers-by, a source close to the investigation told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The attacks since 2015 have left 239 people dead, according to an AFP count before Sunday's incident.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb posted on Twitter that he would travel to Marseille immediately.