BREAKING: Knifeman shot by police outside holiday hotspot airport after lunging at officer

A knifeman who tried to rob a taxi has been shot and killed by police after he lunged at an officer at a holiday hotspot.

Agents of Spain's National Police had to use their firearms after the unnamed individual allegedly tried to rob a taxi driver at knifepount in the vicinity of Gran Canaria Airport, the central airport of Gran Canaria, Spain at around 4.50pm. The suspect is believed to have pounced on the officers with the weapon, forcing them to repel the attack by force, with emergency services within the airport and from the Canary Islands Health Service immediately racing to the scene.

Medics tried to revive the individual but later confirming his death.

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At this time, members of the National Police, including agents of the Judicial Police, the Scientific Police Brigade and the Homicide Group, remain at the scene. The judicial commission has also been activated.

The National Police have already launched an investigation to clarify the facts.

The man who died is reported to be of Gambian nationality.

According to Spanish newspaper La Provincia: "A policeman slipped and the attacker jumped on him. The partner of the officer who fell to the ground was the one who fired the shots."

"Police sources have specified that security cameras at Gran Canaria airport have recorded the police intervention."

"The place where the events occurred is an area travelled by the public, so there was fear that at the time of the police shooting, a stray bullet or the ricochet action could injure other people."

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