Armed police storm Nimes train station after 'man with gun' reported to authorities
A FRENCH railway station has been evacuated and put into lockdown after armed police launched a manhunt following reports of an armed man.
A man carrying a fake gun has been arrested by Nimes police
After witnesses reported their concerns to police, authorites stormed Nimes train station only to find the man they were hunting was carrying an alarm gun or starting pistol.
Reports that shots had been fired were false, according to local media, but the man was arrested.
Police were also believed to have boarded a train and told passengers to raise their hands as they searched for the suspect.
People were told to avoid the area, with a transport police spokesman said earlier this evening: “Avoid the area around the station of Nimes.”
Pictures and video circulating on social media show people fleeing the scene.
A transport police spokesman said earlier this evening: “Avoid the area around the station of Nimes.”
They later added: “End of the lifting of doubt: imminent return to normal at the station of Nimes.”
People were evacuated out the station
Just 30 minutes after the initial call, police said the station was back to normal.
There was a huge police in Nimes as the Tour of Spain cycling race, similar to the Tour de France, began in the town.
The false alarm come amid heightened tensions across Europe following the Barcelona attack in Las Ramblas, which killed 14 and left more than 100 people injured.
Armed police were called to the station
Catalonia has been 'HOT BED' of extremism for years says terrorism expert
The attack drove down the busy tourist district in the city on Thursday before making away from the scene on foot.
Later that evening, Catalan police foiled another terror plot in Cambrils, just miles away from Barcelona.
Five terror suspects were shot dead by authorities.