‘Two dead and four hurt in central Paris shooting’

Two people have been killed and four hurt in a central Paris shooting, authorities in France said.

Two of the four people who were injured are in a critical condition, officials said.

Police taped off the area in the 10th arrondissement of the French capital, on a busy street with shops and restaurants near the Gare de l’Est railway station, with people warned to stay away.

The shooting occurred in a Kurdish cultural centre and a restaurant and hairdresser nearby, according to the mayor for the 10th arrondissement, Alexandra Cordebard.

The attacker was also wounded and is being treated in hospital, Ms Cordebard said.

Anti-terrorism prosecutors are investigating the shooting but have not indicated any sign of a terrorist motive.

The shooting happened as Paris bustles with activity before the Christmas weekend.

France was hit by a string of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in 2015 and 2016 and remains on alert for terror-related violence.