Strasbourg Christmas market shooting: Major police operation under way in Neudorf amid hunt for gunman

A major police operation is under way in the Neudorf suburb of Strasbourg in the hunt for a suspected extremist gunman who killed three near the city’s iconic Christmas market.

Route de l'Hôpital, a busy road in the neighbourhood south of the city centre, has been cordoned off since 2.30pm local time, according to reports.

It is thought suspect Chérif Chekatt took a taxi to the area after the attack.

Security forces, including an elite anti-terror squad, are taking action based on the belief Chekkat could be hiding in a nearby building, an anonymous French police official said.

Images show scores of police officers carrying guns in the area while residents have been warned to stay indoors.

More than 700 officers are involved in the manhunt, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said. A terror investigation has also been opened.

Asked about instructions given to police forces searching for Chekatt, Mr Griveaux said the focus was on catching the suspect "as soon as possible", dead or alive, to "put an end to the manhunt".

Police have released a photo of the alleged gunman, who was wounded in an exchange of fire with security forces, with the warning: "Individual dangerous, above all do not intervene."

The 29-year-old, born in Strasbourg, has been convicted 27 times, mostly in France but also in Switzerland and Germany, for crimes including armed robbery. He had been flagged for extremism and was on a watch list.

In the wake of the attack, which also left 13 injured, five of whom are in a critical condition, the French government has increased its terror alert level nationwide and deployed 1,800 additional soldiers across the country to help patrol streets and secure crowded events.

Among those to die in Tuesday's attack was Thai tourist Anupong Suebsamarn, who was 45.

The death of father-of-three Kamal Naghchband, originally from Afghanistan, was announced on Thursday.

The third person to be killed is thought to be a 61-year-old retired bank worker from Strasbourg.

The city has been in mourning for the last two days, with candles lit and flowers left at the site of the attack. The Christmas market was closed again on Thursday.

French president Emmanuel Macron, speaking in Brussels where he is attending a European summit, said interior minister Christophe ​Castaner will travel to Strasbourg on Thursday evening.