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France knife attack: Two men armed with knives 'take hostages in Normandy church' France knife attack: Two men armed with knives shot dead after taking hostages in Normandy church
(35 minutes later)
Two men armed with knives have reportedly taken several people hostage at a church in France. Two men armed with knives have reportedly been shot dead after taking several people hostage at a church in France.
Police said the incident was ongoing at the church in the Normandy region and no details of any injuries were immediately available. Local reports said the area around the church in the commune of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen, had been cordoned off by armed units during the operation on Tuesday morning. 
Local reports said the area around the church in the commune of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen, had been cordoned off by armed units.  The attackers were “neutralised” by security forces, a spokesperson for France's Police Nationale said, adding that security assessments continued.
The two attackers have been “neutralised” by security forces, France Info reported. No further details of the operation were immediately given but Normandie 76 Actu reported that both suspects had been shot dead.
At least one of the hostages, who included nuns and members of the congregation, was killed during the attack.
Police sources told the AFP news agency the murdered man was a priest, although the circumstances of his death were unclear.
France’s national police force issued a tweet urging people not to cross the security cordon or take photos or videos of the scene.France’s national police force issued a tweet urging people not to cross the security cordon or take photos or videos of the scene.
The incident came under a fortnight after the Nice attack, when 84 people were killed and more than 300 injured by an Isis supporter who drove a lorry into crowds celebrating Bastille Day.The incident came under a fortnight after the Nice attack, when 84 people were killed and more than 300 injured by an Isis supporter who drove a lorry into crowds celebrating Bastille Day.
France has been on high alert since the so-called Islamic State's bombings and shootings in Paris on 13 November last year.France has been on high alert since the so-called Islamic State's bombings and shootings in Paris on 13 November last year.