German police launched a “massive” operation this Friday to free several people held hostage in a pharmacy in Karlsruhe, in the southwest of the country, according to Bild newspaper. At the beginning of the night, the police finally broke into the pharmacy, explosions were heard and a suspect was arrested. There are currently no indications of injuries.
The situation had been going on since 4:30 p.m. in Berlin (one hour less in Lisbon) at the Farmácia do Congresso, in Karlsruhe city center. It wasn’t until around 9 p.m. (local time) that police entered the establishment and arrested a man, according to Deutsche Welle.
According to German media, the kidnapper would demand more than a million euros to free the hostages.
“Several people have been taken hostage in a pharmacy. We are on site with reinforced troops,” the Karlsruhe police said in a message shared on the social network Twitter this afternoon.
Nach derzeitigen polizeilichen Erkenntnissen wurden mehrere Persons in dishonor Apotheke as Geiseln taken. They won’t forget.
Wir sind mit verstärkten Kräften vor Ort.
I am #polished #Karlsruhe #KA1003
-Polizei Karlsruhe (@Polizei_KA) March 10, 2023
Authorities have isolated the area where the pharmacy is located, in the center of the city, and have asked people not to go there, despite stating that the situation does not pose a threat to the population.
I was just outside with the dog. I saw these barriers and a car, armored as if going to Ukraine, drove past me… crazy situation #karlsruhe #Geisel name pic.twitter.com/iFTYDDMvKC
– @Matt_Meyers_D (@D1Meyers) March 10, 2023
“Die Live-Ubertragung eines #polisail|ichen Grosseinsatzes bei einer #Geiselnahme can #livinggefahrlich|e Konsequenzen für Beamte en Geiseln haben, when a Geiselnehmer father occupies the only positions of #SEK-Kräfte erfährt.” #Karlsruhe #TikTok https://t.co/j62yf0rJZl
– Schnappi ☠ #LütziBleibt #FreeAllAntifas (@schnappi_e) March 10, 2023
Source: DN
