France Gunman Surrenders, Releases Hostages from Bank

A gunman, who took six people hostage in a bank in Le Havre in northern France surrendered to police on Thursday after releasing his captives.

Police sources claimed the attacker is on the security watch's watch-list, expecting that he has been radicalized.

A senior official said that a bomb squad was present at BRED Bank in Boulevard de Strasbourg, after news of a bag containing explosives were exposed at the scene.

The National Police said that the attacker initially kidnapped six people and negotiators managed to secure the release of the hostages, adding the armed man had a history of mental health problems.

"We know he has become a radical and suffers from a serious mental illness," said Yves Lefebvre, president of SGP Unite police.

Another senior police official said the attacker had made statements in support of the Palestinian cause.

"The gunman made statements in support of the Palestinian cause and requested a motorcycle as well as access to social media networks," he added.

After police cordoned off the area and urged citizens to stay away from the scene, the attacker surrendered with no weapons used during the operation.