Paris Orly attack: CCTV footage emerges of gunman during French airport incident

The man, who has been named as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, is seen struggling with a female soldier for some time before help arrives

CCTV footage of the Paris Orly airport attack has emerged, appearing to show the gunman taking a female soldier hostage before he is shot by her colleagues.

The man, who has been named as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, is seen struggling with a soldier for more than a minute before help arrives.

Belgacem, a 39-year-old French citizen, held an air pistol to the soldier's head and used her as a shield. Police believe he intended to use the soldier’s weapon to shoot members of the public.

The soldier’s colleague intervened and fired three bursts, shooting Belgacem dead.

It is believed, before launching the attack, Belgacem shot at police officers manning a checkpoint in northern Paris, the French interior minister said.

“We can link the [airport attacker’s] identity with a check carried out at Garges-les-Gonesse by a patrol in Stains this morning,” Bruno Le Roux said.

It is thought Belgacem was a radicalised Muslim and was known to French security services.

Toxicology tests found traces of cocaine in his blood and it is thought he took cocaine, smoked cannabis and drank alcohol before the incident.

Belgacem's father and brother, as well as a cousin, have been detained for questioning.