Hostage among three dead in Normandy church siege, say French police
Two men armed with knives kill hostage in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, northern France, before being shot dead, say police
The scene outside the church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy. Photograph: BFM
Reuters in Paris
Tuesday 26 July 2016 19.35 AESTLast modified on Tuesday 26 July 2016 19.43 AEST
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One hostage and two hostage-takers have been killed in northern France after an incident at a church in the Normandy region, police and media have said.
Two men armed with knives took several people hostage in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen, killing one of them with a blade, before being shot dead, police said.
French media reported that five hostages were being held, and that a sixth escaped and raised the alarm. A priest, two nuns and two worshippers were reported to be among the hostages.
Firefighters told RTL that several people had been injured.
— frederic veille (@fredveille)
July 26, 2016
Les pompiers arrivent sur place et annoncent plusieurs blessés Prise d'otages saint etienne du Rouvray
@RTLFrancepic.twitter.com/DoRMJ1iNTg
A security official told Associated Press that that the identities of the attackers and motive for the attack were unclear.
The French president, François Hollande, and the interior minister, Bernard Cazenevue, were en route to Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, according to the official.
The hostage-taking comes with France on high alert after
an attack in Nice that killed 84 people earlier this month.
More details soon …
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