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Three dead in Rouen hostage-taking - official

PARIS, July 26 (KUNA) -- One civilian was killed and another seriously wounded in the hostage-taking in a Church in the southern suburbs of Rouen, Normandy, on Tuesday, and both hostage-takers were shot dead by police, the Interior Ministry confirmed.
An Interior Ministry spokesman, Pierre-Henry Brandet, told French media that two individuals had taken five people hostage during the morning service but were quickly surrounded by the special intervention units of the BRI, (Brigade for Rapid Intervention).
The spokesman said that during the hostage-taking, the two perpetrators "came out of the Church and were shot dead by police." "During the investigation, we found one deceased person inside the Church - a person who had been assassinated - and another who was very gravely wounded and is between life and death," the official added on BFM TV news.
He said that the Church was being swept to see if there were any explosive devices or booby traps left by the attackers, whose motives are still unknown.
French President Francois Hollande is on his way to the attack site, the Elysee Palace said, as is Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve. (pickup previous) jk.rk