According to reports, the incident occured near Kurdish cultural centre not far from the Gare de l'Est station.

"A gun attack has taken place. Thank you to the security forces for their swift action," the city's deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire wrote in a tweet as quoted by France 24. "Thoughts for the victims and those who witnessed this drama."

Police have reportedly detained 69-year-old suspect.

A shopkeeper in the area told AFP as quoted by France 24 that she had heard seven or eight shots in rue d'Enghien, saying "it was total panic. We locked ourselves inside."