Paris hostage situation: Armed police cordon off street where man held at least two people captive
Area evacuated as man allegedly asks to speak to embassy of Iran
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police have rescued at least two hostages and arrested a man in central Paris after a four-hour standoff.
The hostage-taker demanded to be put in touch with the Iranian Embassy to deliver a message to the French government, authorities said.
More than a dozen heavily-armed officers, firefighters and rescue workers were stationed outside the building where the hostages were being held.
The area was evacuated and the street, rue des Petites Ecuries, was cordoned off while negotiations were in progress.
France's interior minister later said the hostage-taker had been arrested and the hostages freed.
"The individual has been arrested and the hostages are out of danger," Gerard Collomb said on Twitter.
There were no immediate details on the age, appearance or nationality of the hostage taker.
"His demands were really vague and incoherent," said an interior ministry official. "The negotiator had difficulty understanding."
Police said there was no indication of a terrorist motive, but sources had told Reuters the man had demanded to be put in touch with the Iranian embassy to deliver a message to the French government.
One source said the attacker, who appeared to be brandishing a fake weapon, had doused two hostages in petrol.
They said the hostage-taker also initially hit one person, who was able to escape.
Local media said a pregnant woman was also able to escape.
Yves Lefebvre, a police union official, said the hostage-taker also claimed he had an accomplice outside the building with a bomb.
Police swept vehicles in the area with a device but found nothing, he added.
Video on BFM-TV showed a demining device for bombs at the scene.
It comes after a series of attacks claimed by Isis in France.
Last month, a man shouting “Allahu akbar” killed a 29-year-old man and injured four others in Paris, before he was shot by police, in an Isis-claimed attack.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments