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A hostage situation has been reported in the northern French town of Roubaix. Several people have sustained gunshot wounds, Reuters reported citing medical sources.

The area has been cordoned off by police, RTL reported, adding that gunfire can be heard.

La Voix du Nord newspaper says the hostage takers are armed with Kalashnikovs. Witnesses told the daily that the incident occurred at around 7:00pm local time at a gas station.


It is not clear whether the gunmen are linked to the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13.

"An operation is underway after hostages were taken. Gunshots were fired and the neighborhood has been cordoned off," a police source told Reuters. "A bank director and his family may have been taken as hostages."