One of two guards taken hostage by a prisoner at a French high-security prison has been released, French broadcaster BFMTV reported on Tuesday, citing judicial
sources.

Two prison guards, a male and a female, were initially taken hostage, the justice ministry said, but according to BFMTV the female guard was freed after several hours.

The male guard, who is still being held hostage, sustained an injury to his right eye, the broadcaster said.

The ministry said negotiations were underway to try to secure the release of the hostage at the jail in Conde-sur-Sarthe, about 250 km (155 miles) west of Paris.

Security units at the jail had been mobilized, and extra forces had been despatched to the prison, the ministry added.