Gunmen hold up Paris Primark store with 10 people inside

French police reported that gunmen were holding up a Primark clothing store with some 10 people inside at Villeneuve-la-Garenne near Paris.

Eighteen people were evacuated by special forces polic from the shopping centre, situated north of Paris, after up to three armed men entered the building.

Police confirmed that the incident appeared to be an armed robbery, not a terrorist attack.

"Around 6:30 am (0430 GMT), three armed criminals went into the Primark store for what we think was initially an attempt at armed robbery," a police source, who wished to remain anonymous, told French agency AFP of the incident at Villeneuve-la-Garenne.

French website Le Parisien said three men were involved, adding that according to its sources one of the robbers may have been recognised as a Primark employee.

Primark is part of Associated British Foods.

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