Paris: Knife-wielding man shot by police at Arc de Triomphe

A man was shot and injured after attacking police during a ceremonial lighting of an eternal flame under the Paris landmark.

A knife-wielding man was shot dead by police at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Friday evening after he tried to attack an officer, police said.

The attack took place during the ceremony to rekindle the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier located directly under the arch.

Police said the man was shot several times and taken to the hospital in critical condition before he died from his injuries. One of the officers was slightly injured before another officer opened fire to subdue the attacker.

The Napoleon-era monument is one of Paris' most popular sites, located at the head of the busy Champs-Elysees avenue.

Anti-terror prosecutor to investigate

The suspect was registered as a resident of the northern Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis and was known to authorities, a source close to the case told AFP news agency. 

France's national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said it was taking charge of the case and had opened an investigation. It was not immediately clear why the anti-terrorism office took up the case so quickly. 

Police have not yet released details of the suspect's identity or possible motive.

Edited by: Louis Oelofse