Two prison officers were killed, according to an initial provisional toll, according to a source close to the case. Three other people were also seriously injured

The National Jurisdiction for Combating Organised Crime (Junalco) of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken charge of the investigation. According to initial reports, an armed group attacked the van at around 11am at the toll plaza.

A prisoner involved in drug trafficking has managed to escape and a Gendarmerie helicopter is currently flying over the area.

Plan Epervier was immediately activated after the attack, and the GIGN is on its way to the scene of the incident.

Emmanuel Macron reacts to the van attack

‘This morning’s tragedy, which resulted in the loss of life among prison officers, shocks us all,’ said the President of the Republic on X.

‘The nation stands in solidarity with the families of the victims, the injured and their colleagues’, Emmanuel Macron continued. ‘All the necessary measures are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators of this criminal act and to ensure that justice is done in the name of the French people. Our response will be unfailing.’

Gérald Darmanin announces the mobilisation of ‘several hundred police officers and gendarmes’ following the attack on the van in the Eure department

The Minister of the Interior says on X that all the necessary resources are being deployed to find the criminals. He also expressed his sincere and sad condolences to the families of the victims and to the staff of the Ministry of Justice.

200 gendarmes have been mobilised following the attack on the prison van in Eure, according to a gendarmerie source reported by H24 MEDIA. They come from the departments of Eure, Seine-Maritime, Calvados and Yvelines.

They include departmental gendarmes, motorcyclists, members of the Rouen section, a helicopter and members of the GIGN.