In Karlsruhe, the police are in a large-scale operation because of an alleged hostage-taking. The crime is still going on, says a spokesman for the German Press Agency early Friday evening. One or more hostages were taken in a pharmacy.
A police spokesman said they were in contact with the alleged hostage-taker or hostage-takers. The police did not provide information on the number of hostages or perpetrators. According to the current status, there is no danger to the population.
The crime scene is in the middle of the city center on Ettlinger Strasse, one of the main streets in Karlsruhe. The forces cordoned off the area over a large area and called on people to avoid the area of operation. A contact point has been set up for local residents. Numerous police and emergency services vehicles were seen on the street. As the dpa learned from police circles, the large-scale operation grew even further in the early evening. Other emergency services are currently being drawn together, but for tactical reasons, no more precise information can be given.