Hostages taken in northern France

Latest:A hostage situation in northern France has ended.

Update at 10.20pm: A hostage situation in northern France has ended.

The hostages have been freed and one of the gang has reportedly been killed.

A group of armed men had taken a number of hostages in the northern French town of Roubaix.

Several people are being treated for gunshot wounds.

Reports suggest the gang were attempting to carry out a robbery in the town.

Update at 9.30pm: It has been reported that the hostages taken in Roubaix are now safe.

UPDATE: Hostages in northern France are now safe: French officials

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 24, 2015

Update at 8.10pm: The mayor's office say one or more armed men carried out a robbery and then took hostages.

A special police unit has been dispatched.

Previous story: There are reports of a hostage situation developing in the French town of Roubaix.

Medical services there say several people are being treated for gunshot wounds.

Roubaix is near the border with Belgium, where the terror alert remains high.

However French media are reporting that the incident is not connected to the attacks in Paris on November 13.

More as we get it.

UPDATE: Hostage situation in northern France apparently not linked to Paris attacks: police sources

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 24, 2015