Free Republic

A hostage taking is under way in a post office in Colombes, a suburb of northwest Paris. According to police, an armed man is currently detaining three hostages, but they insisted there was no link to terrorism. The man is known by the authorities, and had contacted the police himself, they said. The area around the post office has been sealed.

A hostage situation is underway near the French capital of Paris, a week after the deadly Islamist attacks in the city, local media report. An unconfirmed number of people are being held at gunpoint at a post office in Colombes, on the northwestern outskirts of Pairs. Early reports suggest it might be a robbery gone wrong. The area has been cordoned off by security forces, with a police helicopter hovering over the scene.