BREAKING: Knife-wielding men take six hostage in French church
This is a developing story
According to emerging reports, police in northern France are currently dealing with a hostage situation in the Haute-Normandie region of the country.
It has been established that two armed individuals stormed the Church of the Gambetta at around 9.45am local time, and are, at present, holding a priest, two nuns and several worshippers against their will.
Prise d'otages terminée à Saint etienne du Rouvray les deux malfaiteurs abattus @RTLFrance pic.twitter.com/RKhb84Yz3c
— frederic veille (@fredveille) July 26, 2016
Media outlets have confirmed that reports at this time are conflicting, but it appears between four and six people have been taken hostage.
BREAKING: Assailants take hostages in church near Normandy city of Rouen, French official says.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 26, 2016
Officials have evacuated a large portion of the Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray commune and have cordoned off the scene, while paramedics can be seen removing stretchers from ambulances.
Update: It has been established that police have killed the two individuals responsible for this morning's hostage situation, and the motive for the perpetrators' attack remains unclear.
