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France church attack: Priest 'killed' after men armed with knives take hostages at Normandy church France church attack: Men 'slit 92-year-old priest's throat' after taking hostages at Normandy church
(35 minutes later)
A priest has reportedly been killed at a church in northern France during a suspected terror attack by men armed with knives. A priest has been killed at a church in northern France during a suspected Islamist terror attack by men armed with knives.
Police sources told the AFP news agency the murdered man was among hostages taken on Tuesday morning, while a second hostage was in a life-threatening condition. The French interior ministry said the murdered man was among hostages taken on Tuesday morning, while a second hostage was in a life-threatening condition.
Local reports said the two attackers stormed the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray during a service, taking the priest, two nuns and several members of the congregation hostage. The 92-year-old priest, who had served the local area for decades, reportedly had his throat slit by the attackers.
Police said officers"neutralised" both attackers an operation near Rouen, Normandy, on Tuesday morning and did not immediately confirm the number of victims injured. Eulalie Garcia, who works in a nearby beauty parlour told reporters he was well-known by locals.
Bernard Cazeneuve, the French interior minister, was due to visit the scene of the attack later in the day. “My family has lived here for 35 years and we have always known him,” she said. “He was someone who was treasured by the community. He was very discreet and didn't like to draw attention to himself.”
Officials made no indication of a motive for the attack and there was no immediate claim of responsibility from terror groups. Ms Garcia said she was shocked by the murder of the priest, who lived opposite his church. “It can happen to anyone,” she added.
The two attackers stormed the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray during a service at around 10am local time (9am BST), taking the priest, two nuns and several members of the congregation hostage.
The crisis continued for around an hour before the armed men were shot dead by police when they emerged in a courtyard outside the church.
Police said officers"neutralised" both attackers an operation near Rouen, Normandy, on Tuesday morning and a terror investigation has been launched.
President Francois Hollande and Bernard Cazeneuve, the French interior minister, were due to visit the scene of the attack later in the day.
Police sources said one of the men was wearing clothing signifying he was a Muslim but there was no immediate claim of responsibility from terror groups.
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 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.