STRASBOURG: One person was killed and ten people injured in a shooting on Tuesday near a Christmas market in the eastern French city of Strasbourg, police said, adding that the suspected gunman was on the run.
“Serious public security event underway in Strasbourg. Residents are asked to stay at home,” the French interior ministry said in a tweet.
“Shooting in Strasbourg’s city centre,” deputy mayor Alain Fontanel said in a tweet.
“Thanks to all for staying at home until the situation has been clarified,” he added.
According to a press release issued by the state services in Grand Est and Bas-Rhin department, “Around 8 PM, an individual opened fire in the city centre of Strasbourg. … 10 wounded evacuated to the hospital of Strasbourg.”
Police said while the suspected gunman had been identified, he was still being “actively sought”.
A public information unit (CIP) was also set up, it said.
The Strasbourg-based European Parliament was on lockdown after reports of the shooting emerged, with MEPs, staff, and journalists unable to leave the building, an AFP reporter said.
The parliament is currently in plenary session, with hundreds of MEPs and officials having made the monthly visit to Strasbourg from Brussels.
