Hostage situation in French town near Belgian border

PARIS - A hostage situation is ongoing Tuesday night in Roubaix in northern France, where many police have been deployed there following gunshots, media reported.

"An intervention is ongoing following a hostage-taking," Le Figaro reported, adding that "there were gunshots and the block is closed down".

So far, no apparent links have been established between the situation and Paris attacks that killed 130 people on November 13.

According to Le Figaro, a bank director and his family members might be taken hostage.

There are several people injured, Le Figaro reported, citing a police source.

A police patrol surprised two robbers, who responded with gunshots before taking refuge in a house in a residential area, French news channel BFM TV quoted a police source.