Police surround Ubisoft office in Montreal in possible hostage situation

Police maintain a security cordon after reports of a hostage incident at the offices of gaming software developer Ubisoft in Montreal

Credit: REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

A major police operation was underway in Montreal Friday at offices of French video game company Ubisoft that local media reported was a possible hostage-taking.

Police confirmed the massive deployment on Twitter had started at about 1:30 pm, but offered no details while urging people to "avoid the area" near St-Laurent Boulevard and St-Viateur Street in Montreal’s Mile-End neighbourhood, close to downtown.

Television images showed the streets around the old brick building cordoned off by heavily armed officers, and dozens of Ubisoft workers who appeared to have barricaded themselves on the rooftop.

"Police officers were dispatched to the scene to respond to a 911 call," a police spokesperson told AFP.

"The information has still not been validated," the official said, adding that "officers specializing in this type of intervention are currently on the scene and are carrying out checks."

"No injuries were reported."