French counter-terrorism police shot and hurt a woman who was threatening passers-by at a metro rail station in Paris city and warned she would blow herself up.

A police source told the BBC that they intervened at the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand train station on Tuesday.

According to reports, the woman was wearing hijab and was heard shouting 'Allahu Akbar'.

When she refused to comply with police orders they opened fire eight times, the source told BBC.

"Police feared for their safety," the source added.

Her condition is said to be critical but stable.

An investigation into the incident has been launched.