This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33504602

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
France hostages: Armed men attack Primark shop near Paris France siege: Armed men attack shopping centre near Paris
(35 minutes later)
Gunmen are holding several hostages after what French police sources say was a robbery attempt on a Primark shop north of Paris. Eighteen people have been evacuated from a shopping centre north of Paris, after up to three armed men entered the building early on Monday.
"Some 10 people may be held inside" a shopping centre in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, police sources said. A police source said they had been hiding in a canteen in the Qwartz centre in Villeneuve-la-Garenne.
Special forces were sent to the scene, police said. It was unclear whether anyone else was still trapped in the centre or whether any hostages had been taken.
A short time later there were reports that 18 people had been freed from the Qwartz shopping centre but it was unclear how many hostages remained. Police told the BBC the incident appeared to be an armed robbery, not a terrorist attack.
Police stopped all traffic in the area and all other shops nearby have also closed.
"At around 06:30 (04:30 GMT), two or three armed criminals went into the Primark store for what we think was initially an attempt at armed robbery," a police source, who wished to remain anonymous, is quoted as saying by AFP news agency."At around 06:30 (04:30 GMT), two or three armed criminals went into the Primark store for what we think was initially an attempt at armed robbery," a police source, who wished to remain anonymous, is quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
Traffic in the area was stopped and all other shops nearby were closed.
Another police source said an employee first alerted her boyfriend of the hold-up at around 07:00 when she sent him a text message saying they had been taken hostage by two armed men.Another police source said an employee first alerted her boyfriend of the hold-up at around 07:00 when she sent him a text message saying they had been taken hostage by two armed men.
Le Parisien website said three men were involved, adding that one may have been recognised as a Primark employee.Le Parisien website said three men were involved, adding that one may have been recognised as a Primark employee.
Police have told the BBC they are currently ruling out anything more sinister such as a terrorist attack.