A man in his 50s, armed with a knife, is holding two women hostage in a stall on Rue d'Aligre in the 12th district of Paris.
According to AFP, the man, "known locally for having a mental disorder", is asking to speak to Minister of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti.
Police are not regarding the situation as a terror incident at this stage, according to BFM.
The perimeter around Rue d'Alligre has been cordoned off, with a local resident telling AFP that the area "between the Faubourg Saint-Antoine and the rue Crozatier" has been blocked.
Situation in the 12th arrondissement of Paris as an armed man reportedly takes two female hostages in a shop
© Sputnik
An investigation is underway and the public has been urged to avoid the area.
Situation in the 12th arrondissement of Paris as an armed man reportedly takes two female hostages in a shop
© Sputnik
The French Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), along with other law enforcement units, has been mobilised to respond to the incident.
First Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire said he was heading to the scene, reiterating calls for people to stay away from the area and follow the instructions of the police.
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