Police confirm at least two people killed in hostage-taking
French police have confirmed that two people have been killed and about a dozen wounded in the supermarket hostage-taking.
However, the casualty toll is likely to rise, the regional head of the gendarmes said. "We are unfortunately expecting to find more victims," he told Sud-Ouest newspaper.
A spokesman with the national police service said that it is unclear whether there are still hostages inside the store. The spokesman said a police operation to apprehend the assailant is still under way.
12:12pm
Attacker reported to be Moroccan national known to French intelligence services
The attacker is a Moroccan national known to France's intelligence services, according to
La Depeche, a regional newspaper.
The authorities have so far given no details about the man's identity.
12:10pm
Hostage-taker 'demanding release of Salah Abdeslam'
A French TV station reports that the hostage-taker has demanded the release of
Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving member of the Isil cell that attacked Paris in November 2015 and killed 130 people.
He is currently in a prison near Paris awaiting trial for those attacks.
12:03pm
French PM: We believe this is a terrorist act
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said: "The information which we currently have to hand makes us believe that this is a terrorist act."
He said he will cut short a visit to the eastern town of Mulhouse and return to Paris to monitor the situation in Trebes and will "remain in constant contact with the president," Emmanuel Macron, who is in Brussels today for a European Council meeting.
Meanwhile, around 50 people who fled the supermarket have taken refuge in a Peugeot garage next to the store.
11:46am
Attacker shouted Allahu Akbar as he burst into store - witness
The hostage-taker has killed at least one person inside the supermarket, a police union official said, reports
Rory Mulholland.
The hostage-taking began at 11am local time when a man burst into the supermarket and fired shots, the local prosecutor’s office said. Local police said they believed one or two people were hit hit by the gunfire.
One witness said the attacker had shouted Allahu Akbar as he burst into the store.
11:34am
Attacker wanted to 'take revenge for Syria'
The attacker, who is believed to be in his 30s, has one or more grenades and said that he wanted to "take revenge for Syria", sources told the
Dépêche du Midi newspaper.
Local media said it was the same man who shot the police officers and then took refuge in the supermarket, but this has not been confirmed.
11:25am
Two confirmed injured in supermarket hostage-taking
The Mayor of Trebes has told BFM TV that there are at least two people injured in the supermarket-hostage situation.
11:17am
Policeman injured after man opens fire on officers
A man opened fire on four French police officers before fleeing the scene in Carcassonne. He is reported to have fired five shots.
One police officer was injured after he was shot in the shoulder. He is being treated in hospital.
It has not yet been confirmed if this incident is linked to the hostage-taking in nearby Trebes.
11:15am
Counter-terror investigation launched into hostage-taking
Counter-terrorism prosecutors are investigating the incident, a source in Paris said.
11:15am
People urged to avoid area around supermarket
The French Interior Ministry said on its Twitter account Friday that police and rescue operations were the priority.
Authorities in the Aude region are warning people to avoid the area around the supermarket.