A policeman has been shot and a man has taken hostages at a supermarket in south west France, according to reports.

The gunman claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group, the local prosecutor's office said.

France's Interior Ministry said security officials were carrying out an operation at a supermarket in town of Trebes in southern France.

French media reported that the policeman was shot in the town of Carcassonne, while a gunman fired shots during a hostage-taking Friday morning at a supermarket in the town of Trebes 15 minutes' away.

People are being warned to avoid the area as the incident is ongoing.


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