The hostage situation at Rungis market in Paris has ended with all of the captives released unharmed after several hours and two hostage-takers arrested.

Police with guns drawn entered the Credit Lyonnais bank, but no shots were fired. They later led out two people, their heads hidden under jackets.

The employee who alerted police was the first released hostage.

It now appears there were eight hostages, rather than the six initially reported.

They were released in small groups during negotiations with police. "[The gunmen] wanted money but their ambitions exceeded their abilities," said a police spokesman.

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