Knifeman shot by police after attacking six people at Paris train station

A man with a knife attacked six people at the Gare du Nord train station in Paris, leaving one with major injuries, French police have said.

The attacker was shot several times by officers and taken to hospital with serious injuries, a police spokesperson said.

His motivations were not immediately clear, the force added.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the man had attacked several people, including a police officer, with what looked like a home-made weapon around 6.43am local time (5.43am GMT). Police had earlier said the man used a knife or blade.

Within a minute off-duty police officers returning home from a night shift shot the attacker three times.

He said the unnamed assailant was “between life and death” in hospital.

One officer was stabbed in the back but was saved by a bulletproof vest, Mr Darmanin said.

Another of the victims was seriously injured in the shoulder and taken for emergency treatment.

Mr Darmanin thanked the police “for their effective and courageous reaction”.

Rail operator SNCF said a security perimeter had been established but the station continued to operate normally.

The Paris prosecutor said a criminal investigation has been opened.

The Gare du Nord is one of the busiest train stations in Europe and links Paris to London and the north of Europe.

The attack comes a month after three people were killed and three injured after a gunman opened fire at a Kurdish cultural centre in Paris.

This article was originally published by Sky.com. Read the original article here.