Armed men who took hostages in a northern French town appeared to have no link to the Paris attacks, and were probably planning a robbery, police source says.
Police said the incident in Roubaix was unconnected with the Paris attacks. Photo: Twitter / @mimpwd
A police operation was under way in Roubaix, near the border with Belgium after hostages were taken.
"Gun shots were fired and the neighbourhood has been cordoned off," a police source told Reuters. "A bank director and his family may have been taken as hostages."
France and Belgium remain on high alert following deadly attacks in Paris, claimed by Islamic State (IS), that killed 130 people.
However a police source said the hostage situation was not linked to the 13 November attacks, and was more likely part of a robbery plan.
- Reuters