BREAKING: Hostage situation reported in northern French town of Roubaix near Belgium: medical services
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 24, 2015

Reuters Top News / Twitter

THERE’S AN ONGOING hostage situation in the northern French town of Roubaix near the Belgian border.

One or more armed men have taken hostages in the town according to local authorities but there was no immediate indication of a link to the Paris attacks.

A police source said the suspect or suspects were holed up in the home of a couple they had been preparing to burgle and had exchanged gunfire with police.

The mayor’s office said the suspect or suspects “carried out a robbery” after which they took hostages.

A special police unit has been dispatched and a security cordon set up around the scene, the mayor’s office and police source said.

Shopkeeper next to Roubaix hostage situation: 2 men took family hostage, gunfire, appears they planned to rob a shop, intercepted by police
— Alex Marquardt (@MarquardtA) November 24, 2015

Alexander Marquardt / Twitter

More to follow.

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