Armed man ‘takes six people hostage’ inside bank in French city of Le Havre
- The robbery is believed to have taken place at 5pm local time, local media say
- The situation at BRED bank on Boulevard de Strasbourge is ongoing
- No casualties have been reported and emergency services have been scrambled
An armed man has taken ‘six people hostage’ in a bank robbery in the French port city of Le Havre, local police said.
The situation at the BRED bank, on Boulevard de Strasbourge, is ongoing.
Local news site Ouest France reported that the individual is armed and that authorities are concerned there may be explosives.
The France Blue website reported that several customers were inside the bank and are being held hostage.
The new site said that a woman was freed by the assailant, and that a 53-year-old male was able to escape.
The situation at the BRED bank, on Boulevard de Strasbourge, is ongoing
The French tactical RAID unit, firefighters, and ambulances have all been scrambled to the scene where a security line has been drawn up.
The public is being urged to steer clear of the area in the city centre, the local prefecture said.
No casualties have been reported.
AFP have reported that a police source said the man had a handgun.
The National Police of the Seine Maritime tweeted: ‘Police operation in progress boulevard de Strasbourg @LH_LeHavre
‘Respect the security perimeter set up by@ PoliceNat76600.’
Le Havre’s new mayor is Edouard Philippe, President Emmanuel Macron’s former prime minister who resigned in early July.