- Police are surrounding the Mixicom computer store in the 10th arrondissement
- The unidentified suspect entered the shop during on Tuesday afternoon
- He told officers he ‘wants to get a message to the Iranian embassy and the French government,’ a source said
An armed man claiming to have a bomb has taken three people including a pregnant woman hostage in Paris.
Anti-terrorist police are surrounding the Mixicom computer store in the French capital’s 10th arrondissement, close to the Gare du Nord Eurostar hub.
One man is said to have been injured after being hit by wrench as the man – who has not been identified – entered the shop on Tuesday afternoon.
An armed man claiming to have a bomb has taken three people including a pregnant woman hostage in Paris
He has told officers that he ‘wants to get a message to the Iranian embassy and the French government,’ said a source at the scene.
The man is said to be carrying a handgun, and says that he has explosives in a bag, the source added.
By 5pm, the whole area around Mixicom was in lock down, as people were told to avoid the area.
Paris has been hit by a number of terrorist attacks in recent years, with mainly young men claiming affiliation to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda responsible.
French police and a fireman secure the street after a man took people hostage at a shop
One man is said to have been injured after being hit by wrench as the unidentified suspect
The man is said to be carrying a handgun, and says that he has explosives in a bag, a source said
However, there was no early indication as to the exact motives of today’s assailant.
Members of the elite Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) arrived on the scene with an armoured screen, pushing it towards the door in Rue des Petites Ecuries, where the siege was taking place.
Eye witness Philippe Grasset posted pictures of the drama on Twitter, saying: ‘Police stand ready to intervene.’
Members of the elite Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) arrived on the scene with an armoured screen
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