French Beheading Attack Suspect 'Was Known to Intelligence'

French anti-terrorism authorities have said the man who allegedly committed a factory attack in Grenoble was known to the intelligence services.

The senior anti-terrorism prosecutor has personally taken over the case, France 24 reports.

On Friday morning a man reportedly drove into a chemical factory and set fire to several explosive devices or gas bottles, wounding several people. Sources say a man was beheaded.

Legal sources say there was Arabic writing on the head pinned at the entrance of the factory.

The incident took place at a facility in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier in Southeastern France, near Lyon.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve arrived at the site shortly after the incident. President Francois Hollande, who is currently in Brussels for a European Council summit, is due to fly back to the country shortly. 

No organization has claimed yet responsibility, but the attacker allegedly claimed he was from the Islamic State (IS) group. However, no link between IS and the attacker has yet been established. It is yet to be found out if he was acting as a lone wolf or was indeed part of an organization.

Police suggest at least two people might have been involved.

Air Products, the company the factory is working with, is one of the biggest suppliers of hydrogen in the country.