A hostage taking in progress at Arles prison, staff held by an inmate

Several members of prison staff are held by an inmate this Friday, January 3 at the Arles central prison. Intervention teams are on site.

A hostage taking is underway this Friday, January 3 at the Arles central house, BFM Marseille Provence learned, confirming information from La Provence.

An inmate, in possession of a bladed weapon, detains several members of prison staff. Several medical staff and a prison officer are being held hostage, consistent sources tell BFMTV.

Five people held hostage

The Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, later clarified that five people were being held hostage: four healthcare workers and a prison officer.

“We have mobilized all means to deal with it. I am following the evolution of the situation in real time,” he assures on his X account.

The police are mobilized on site and regional intervention teams are on the way. The detainee is a person with a psychiatric profile, a prison source tells BFMTV.