Saxony
Police: hostage taking in Dresden city center
The Dresden Striezelmarkt is closed due to a police operation. (Archive image) photo
© Matthias Rietschel/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
The location in the center of Dresden is confusing. There are evacuations. Visitors are asked to avoid downtown.
There is a hostage situation in downtown Dresden. The police announced on Saturday. The area around the Altmarkt-Galerie shopping center is affected.
In this context, the shopping center and adjacent areas are currently being evacuated. The Striezelmarkt will also remain closed.
The police initially did not want to confirm media reports that a person was shot dead in the shopping center. The situation is still very confusing, said a spokesman for the German Press Agency.
The police are asking because of the hostage-taking to avoid downtown Dresden. The Striezelmarkt will remain closed for the time being, the police said on Saturday morning. The area around the Altmarkt-Galerie is cordoned off.