Footage from the printworks in Dammartin-en-Goele shows special forces taking positions before the final assault and smoke rising from near the building, with gunfire and explosions audible.
In Paris cameras caught the moment when special forces stormed the kosher supermarket; several hostages were reported killed and others in critical condition, but French media have given inconsistent numbers of how many.

According to reports in the French media the denouement of the two hostage situations in Paris happened after French security forces crept into position on the roof of the printworks moments before opening bursts of gunfire.

Their two suspects, the Parisian brothers Chérif and Saïd Kouachi, reportedly launched an audacious escape bid, charging out of the building firing at the security forces before being cut down in their tracks.

Moments later armed police launched an assault on the kosher restaurant in east Paris, using flashbangs and assault rifles to force entry to the under-siege deli.