Police shoot knifeman who 'threatened to slit throats' at Paris train station

In a statement, the Paris prosecutor's office said a police officer had used his "weapon" on the man, who then inflicted knife wounds on himself.

It confirmed that police had shot and wounded the man.

The prosecutor's office added that at least one gunshot was heard.

A police source said the man had been shot in the legs.

Local journalist Jean-Baptise Marty said a man had allegedly "threatened to slit the throats" of two people elsewhere, before boarding a train.

One witness said he heard a loud bang before panic broke out around him.

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He told local media: "It took me two or three seconds to realise what was happening.

"People started saying, 'We have to get out of here, we have to leave quickly', so that got my heart racing and I got up and ran."

Another witness said the police intervention caused a crowd surge through the concourse at the train station.

The station, which serves suburban commuter routes and high-speed trains headed to the country's west and southwest, was evacuated as a result of the incident.

Video footage circulating on social media showed large crowds of people gathered outside the station.

A number of emergency service vehicles could also be seen parked up outside.