A tense hostage situation unfolded at the LCL bank in Romilly-sur-Seine on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, when an armed individual took three bank employees hostage. The crisis commenced around 6 PM and drew the attention of law enforcement, including the GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group), leading to intense negotiations and eventual resolution.
The ordeal began when the hostage-taker, armed with a knife, invaded the bank and held the employees captive. His motivations remain unclear. Local authorities reported, “It was the negotiation process which facilitated the release and surrender of the hostage-taker,” as stated by an officer from the Service of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (Sirpa).
During the course of the hostage situation, two of the three hostages were released by 7:15 PM, with the final hostage, identified as a bank employee, being freed at approximately 9:35 PM following successful negotiations. Mayor of Romilly-sur-Seine, Eric Vuillemin, expressed relief, stating, “The hostage has been released… everything occurred without injury.” He commended the swift actions of law enforcement deployed to the scene.
Numerous gendarmes, approximately 65 from the local gendarmerie, alongside emergency medical services, also participated in securing the area—effectively cordoning off the LCL bank on Rue de la Boule-d’Or when the incident began. Reports indicated heightened police presence as the situation unfolded, leading to panic among local residents and shoppers.
Eyewitness accounts reveal the atmosphere of fear pervading the neighboring businesses. One local shopkeeper shared his experience, detailing the chaos: “I heard a gunshot, I went outside, and I was told by a gendarme to return to my shop. The street is blocked off, and I can't go out at all.” This sentiment echoed among those confined indoors as gunfire erupted nearby.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, around the same time as the hostage scenario, another unrelated incident took place where a driver attempted to breach the police barricades. Witnesses recounted seeing the vehicle speed toward parked police cars before gendarmes opened fire, leading to the driver being shot and injured. Thankfully, the driver’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he was transported to the hospital.
The Sirpa clearly stated, “Both incidents are entirely separate,” underlining the lack of connection between the hostage situation and the police encounter with the driver.
Around 6:50 PM, as the hostage crisis continued, additional gunfire was reported by local residents, which they thought might be traffic cone warnings. One witness, residing nearby, recounted, “A car charged at the gendarmes. They fired back, people ran for cover—everyone rushed inside shops to seek safety.”
Authorities worked throughout the night to control both incidents and finalize the situation at the bank. By 10 PM, the perimeter security measures put in place around the bank were gradually lifted after the hostage-taker was taken under arrest without any violent confrontations.
The GIGN reported the successful apprehension of the suspect following the release of the final hostage, bringing significant closure to the tense events of the day. With the crisis resolved, local officials reflected on how swiftly law enforcement managed to handle the situation. The city of Romilly-sur-Seine, home to approximately 15,000 residents, will now have to address the aftermath of these events, focusing on community safety and psychological support for those affected.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the unforeseen threats communities can face and the importance of effective law enforcement response to crises. The mayor remarked on the cooperation from various public safety teams, indicating optimism for community rebuilt.