A priest was "assassinated," and another was seriously wounded on Tuesday after two armed men seized several hostages in a church in northern France, Pierre-Hernry Brandet, spokesman of the French Interior Ministry said.

A priest in a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, was killed by the two hostages takers who were later shot dead by police units, Brandet told BFMTV news channel.

The motive of the assailants was not immediately clear, according to Brandet.

However, "it's clear that it's a violent, deliberated act and which surely was prepared," he said.

The hostages included a priest, two nuns and two worshippers. They were taken as hostage after the two armed men stormed the church earlier on Tuesday morning.

French anti-terrorist prosecution had taken over the investigation into the attack.

French President Francois Hollande and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve arrived to the scene of the attack, the second assault in 12 days after Nice carnage in which 84 were killed.

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