France mosque shooting: two injured as shots fire near place of worship in Brest

A shooting near a mosque in France has left two people injured, according to authorities.

Officers are now hunting the attacker following the incident in Brest, a city in the west of the country.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said he ordered security tightened at places of worship around the country, in a tweet posted after the incident at the Pontanezen Sunna Mosque.

The regional administration said in a statement that the two wounded people were taken to hospital but are not in critical conditions.

The statement said the suspected shooter fled the scene in a car and urged residents to avoid the area while the police investigate.

No further details about the identities of the suspect or the victims were released by authorities.

France's anti-terrorism prosecutor's office is evaluating the situation and whether there is a reason to suspect terrorist motives.

Additional reporting by agencies.