In Karlsruhe, a large-scale police operation is underway because of a hostage-taking. The crime is still ongoing, said a spokesman for the dpa news agency early on Friday evening. One or more hostages were taken in a pharmacy. The police are in contact with the alleged hostage-taker or hostage-takers. One cannot currently provide any information on the number of hostages or perpetrators, said the spokesman.
The crime scene is in the middle of downtown Karlsruhe on one of the main streets. The forces cordoned off the area over a wide area. The dpa learned from police circles that emergency services are currently being drawn together. The large-scale operation is still “growing”. For tactical reasons, the investigators initially gave no further details.
There is no danger to the population, police spokesman Kai Lampe told the “Badische Latest News”. Several police vehicles are on site, as are the fire brigade and rescue workers. The police were called around 4:45 p.m.
