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French Police rapidly end hostage-taking in Church in Rouen

PARIS, July 26 (KUNA) -- French elite, anti-terrorist police quickly ended a hostage-taking in a Church in the southern suburbs of Rouen, Normandy, but one hostage was killed along with the two hostage-takers in the operation, media sources said Tuesday.
The hostage-taking operation began during services early Tuesday when two armed men entered the Church and took around five hostages, "BFM TV" news channel said.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve headed immediately to the site, which is around 250 kilometres northeast of Paris, and the rapid-intervention brigade of elite police units (BERI) went into action to "neutralise" the two men whose motives are so far unknown.
Reports said that both hostage-takers were shot dead during the police operation.
BFM TV said that the hostage killed in the attack appears to have been the priest of the local Church, known as "Saint Etienne de Vouvray".
France is on high alert due to recent terror attacks here, notably in Nice on July 14 when 84 people were killed by a Tunisian truck driver who rammed his vehicle through pedestrians on the beachfront avenue.
No terrorist motive has so far been given for the Rouen hostage-taking. (End) jk.tg