Two shot dead at Christmas market
A GUNMAN was on the run last night after killing at least two people and wounding 11 others near a French Christmas market.
Armed police swooped on Place Kleber in Strasbourg as tourists and locals ran for cover.
Videos shared online showed people running away or lying injured on the floor at about 8pm.
Unconfirmed reports said three people had died.
One shopkeeper said the gunshots continued for around ten minutes and there were “people running everywhere”.
Yorkshire and Humber MEP Richard Corbett said on Twitter that he was in a restaurant in the city “where shots [were] fired” and the restaurant was “not letting anyone in or out”.
Last night it was not confirmed whether the incident was terror related although police said they had identified a suspect.
The popular market boasts more than 300 stalls and attracts millions of visitors each year.
Strasbourg, near the German border, is home to the European Parliament. Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, also based in the city, tweeted: “The police informed me tonight of a shooting in Strasbourg with possibly one victim and several wounded.
“The perpetrator is still on the run. I advise all staff and visitors to stay at home or indoors for the moment.”
The shooting comes two years after 12 people were killed and 56 injured when a truck ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin.
Islamic State claimed responsibility. Police killed the driver Anis Amri in Italy four days later. France remains on high alert after a wave of attacks commissioned or inspired by Islamic State militants in 2015 and 2016, which killed more than 200 people.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s online guidance says: “Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in France”.
It adds: “There may be increased security in place over the Christmas and New Year period, including at Christmas markets and other major events that might attract large crowds.
“You should remain vigilant and follow advice of local authorities.”