Hostage situation in France not linked to Paris attacks

Armed men who have taken hostages in the northern French town of Roubaix appear to have no link to the November 13 attacks by Islamist militants in Paris.

According to Police sources, the suspect or suspects carried out a robbery after which they took hostages.  “This is apparently not a terrorist attack, it’s apparently a robbery,” one police source said.

Local authorities have confirmed there are armed men involved in a hostage standoff.

Gunshots have been fired and the neighbourhood has been cordoned off.

Prise d’otage en cours à Roubaix #AFP pic.twitter.com/YVWODNSakt

— Zoé Leroy (@zoeleroy) November 24, 2015

It’s believe a bank directer and his family may have been taken as hostages.

There are unconfirmed claims children are among those been held.