French train station near border evacuated

French authorities say a police operation is underway at a train station near the Spanish border and all passengers have been evacuated.

A national police official said the operation began on Saturday night after passengers reported seeing armed individuals in the Nimes train station. The official described it as a "verification" operation and said no shots had been fired.

Another security official said police are working to verify whether the activity had any link to the attacks on Thursday around Barcelona.

The officials, who were not authorised to be publicly named, said no one has been reported hurt in the operation.

The Tour of Spain cycling race kicked off from Nimes earlier on Saturday under heavy security.

French authorities stepped up controls on the border with Spain after the Barcelona attacks. One suspect is believed on the run.