This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-knife-attack-hostages-latest-updates-church-hostages-knives-normandy-a7156151.html

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
France knife attack: Two men armed with knives shot dead after taking hostages in Normandy church France church attack: Two men armed with knives shot dead after taking hostages in Normandy church
(35 minutes later)
Two men armed with knives have reportedly been shot dead after taking several people hostage at a church in France. Two men armed with knives have been shot dead after taking several people hostage at a church in France in a suspected terror attack.
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 during the operation on Tuesday morning. 
The attackers were “neutralised” by security forces, a spokesperson for France's Police Nationale said, adding that security assessments continued.The attackers were “neutralised” by security forces, a spokesperson for France's Police Nationale said, adding that security assessments continued.
No further details of the operation were immediately given but Normandie 76 Actu reported that both suspects had been shot dead.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. At least one of the hostages, who included nuns and members of the congregation, was killed during the attack and another was said to be in a life-threatening condition.
Police sources told the AFP news agency the murdered man was a priest, although the circumstances of his death were unclear.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 Paris prosecutor said the incident was being investigated by the national counter-terrorism task force (SDAT) and the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) intelligence agency.
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.