Armed man ‘takes six people hostage’ inside bank in French city of Le Havre
- The incident is believed to have taken place at 5pm local time, local media say
- The situation at BRED bank, on Boulevard de Strasbourge, remains ongoing
- No casualties have been reported and two of the hostages have been released
An 34-year-old armed man with a history of psychiatric illness has taken ‘six people hostage’ in a bank robbery in the French port city of Le Havre, local police said.
Although the man, believed to be in possession of a revolver, has since released two hostages, the situation at the BRED bank on Boulevard de Strasbourge remains ongoing.
Local news site Ouest France reported that authorities are concerned there may be explosives.
The France Blue website said that that a woman was freed by the assailant, and that a 53-year-old male was able to escape.
The situation at the BRED bank, on Boulevard de Strasbourge, is ongoing
The French tactical RAID unit, firefighters, and ambulances have all been scrambled to the scene where a security line has been drawn up.
The public is being urged to steer clear of the area in the city centre, the local prefecture said.
No casualties have been reported.
The National Police of the Seine Maritime tweeted: ‘Police operation in progress boulevard de Strasbourg @LH_LeHavre
‘Respect the security perimeter set up by@ PoliceNat76600.’
Le Havre’s new mayor is Edouard Philippe, President Emmanuel Macron’s former prime minister who resigned in early July.