Manhunt after hostages in German bank branch released but suspect at large
Officers were called to the scene in the small town of Sinzig to reports that a worker had been taken hostage.
At least one suspect is at large after taking hostages and then fleeing the scene at a savings bank branch in the western German town of Sinzig, police said on Friday.
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The hostages, including one cash transport driver, were released and unharmed, police added.
While the hostage situation was underway earlier on Friday, police said they were working on the assumption that there were multiple perpetrators.
The incident was first reported in the town's centre in the regional state of Rhineland-Palatinate at 7am local time.
Police said they had launched extensive operations and had cordoned off a large area.
Local media reported that a man approached an employee outside the bank at 9am, threatened him, and forced him into the building, where they then entered the vault area.
There is no danger to the public outside the cordoned-off area, according to the police.
Officers are being cautious about the information they are sharing as "someone could possibly be listening in".