An armed teenager with reported links to the Gilet-Jaunes movement in France has released his final hostages after a siege lasting nearly five hours.

Police said the gunman took four people hostage in a convenience store in Blagnac, close to Toulouse airport, at about 4.20pm (3.20pm UK time).

The town's authorities confirmed at 9.10pm (8.10pm UK time) that the hostages had been released.

The gunman has now surrendered to police and been taken into custody.

Image: A video has emerged on social media purportedly of the alleged gunman

Earlier this afternoon, a police spokesman said it was too early to rule out a terror link without knowing the hostage-taker's demands.


Image: The hostage situation was near Toulouse airport

According to local news website La Depeche du Midi, the hostage taker was 17 years old. It also reports he is known to police because of prior involvement in the Gilet Jaunes, or Yellow Vest, protests.

Police surrounded the store and the area was evacuated. According to television reports from France 3, the hostage-taker fired three shots in the air, was wearing a helmet fitted with a camera and had demanded to speak to a negotiator.

Security services said as of 7.10pm (5.10pm GMT/6.10pm BST) the hostage-taker had not "shared a claim".

Image: The shop in Blagnac where the hostages were being held

Le Parisien reported one hostage was released at about 8pm (6pm GMT/7pm BST).

A police helicopter circled overhead.

Police tweeted this afternoon: "Ongoing police operation on the port plan sector in Blagnac - please avoid the area and respect the perimeter of the security."

Image: Officers secured the area around the premises

Reuters has reported the man fired at least one shot over the heads of elite RAID officers.

Neighbour Robert Texier said: "It's worrying. It all happened so quickly."

He said the store has been run for decades by a woman and her daughter who live in the adjacent building.