MILITANT ATTACKS

Chekatt's police file photo shows a bearded man of North African descent, with a prayer bruise on the centre of his forehead.

Neighbours on the housing estate where Chekatt family's lived described the suspect as a typical young man who dressed in jogging pants and trainers rather than traditional Islamic robes.

"He was a little gangster, but I didn't see any signs of him being radicalised," said a leader of a community group standing outside Chekkat’s apartment building, who asked not to be identified while discussing him.

The Strasbourg attack was the latest in a succession of attacks linked to Islamist militancy in France going back to March 2012. Since January 2015 more than 240 people have been killed in various attacks, although the last one had been in May.

With the gunman still on the run and officials dubbing the attack an act of terrorism, France raised its security threat to the highest level.

More than 700 police took part in the manhunt. French and German police had manned controls on either side of the Europe Bridge, which spans the frontier running along the Rhine river, causing hours of logjams.

The Christmas market, a hugely popular attraction in historic Strasbourg, will reopen on Friday, Castaner said.

People began returning to the area on Thursday with many marking their respects for the victims by leaving candles in the main Kleber square.

Reuters