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French counter-terrorism police launch investigation into Champs-Elysees incident (PHOTOS, VIDEOS) Champs-Elysees attacker dead, car contained ‘number of firearms and explosives’ (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
(35 minutes later)
The Paris prosecutor’s counter-terrorism unit has opened an investigation into an incident at the Champs-Elysees Monday in which a man drove a car into a police vehicle. France’s interior minister has said that a driver who rammed a car into police in an “attempted attack” on security forces on the Champs-Elysees was carrying a “number of firearms and explosives.”
"Once again our security forces have been targeted. The threat is extremely high," Minister of the Interior Gerard Collomb told reporters. He also confirmed that the attacker is dead.  
Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet claimed the suspected attacker was “most probably” dead following the incident. Collomb will introduce a proposal to extend the state of emergency in France at a meeting of ministers on Wednesday.
"It looks like this was a deliberate act," he added. The Paris prosecutor’s counter-terrorism unit has opened an investigation into the incident.
"The individual is likely dead and was presumed armed," Paris police spokesperson Johanna Primevert told reporters. Police initially told the public to avoid the area following the incident which led armed security personnel to descend on the area.
In a tweet, the Ministry for the Interior said the suspected attacker was “neutralized” and that the bomb disposal unit was at the scene. Some 30 minutes later, the police tweeted that the incident was now under control.
Police tweeted that the operation is under control, with no injuries sustained by officers or the public.
Videos from the Champs-Elysees show armed officers redirecting traffic away from the scene.Videos from the Champs-Elysees show armed officers redirecting traffic away from the scene.
The vehicle caught fire after crashing into the police vehicle, an official told AFP.The vehicle caught fire after crashing into the police vehicle, an official told AFP.
France has been in a state of emergency since an attack in Paris in November 2015 that killed 130 people. Last month a police officer was killed and two seriously injured following a shooting at the Champs-Elysees.
READ MORE: Police officer killed, 2 seriously injured in Paris Champs Elysees attack of ‘terrorist nature’READ MORE: Police officer killed, 2 seriously injured in Paris Champs Elysees attack of ‘terrorist nature’