children in daycare French hostages

A young armed took hostage several children in a daycare French police sources.

Initial reports said the youth, about 17 armed with knives or swords, involving 20 children in the eastern city of Besancon.

The mayor was later quoted saying that most children had been released and about five were still inside the nursery.

Armed police cordoned off the building and it is reported that at least one teacher is also inside.

The youth is reported to have been in the nursery not long after it opened on Monday morning.

Police have made phone contact with him and say they are trying to understand his motives.

One unconfirmed report said the hijacker was suffering from depression.

"About 14 children left, and right now there are five or six in there," Besancon mayor Jean-Louis Fousseret told France Info radio.