PARIS — The Paris prosecutor’s office is investigating a hoax hostage alert that prompted a major police intervention at a church in the centre of the French capital. Police dispatched a helicopter and barricaded the area around the Saint-Leu church in the Les Halles neighbourhood Saturday, and activated a special app-based public alert system created after deadly attacks in Paris last year. The Interior Ministry later said it was a false alarm. “We did it for the thrill. If people were afraid, that’s their problem.”If they are found guilty by the courts, the two teens could face a fine of €30,000.

Source: National Post September 19, 2016 15:11 UTC