Major alarm in Karlsruhe in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Because of a hostage-taking in a pharmacy, a large contingent of police is currently on duty. As a precaution, the area around the crime scene, which is in the city center near the fairground, has been closed. The officers are in contact with the alleged hostage-taker. For tactical reasons, the officials did not want to give any further information. According to current knowledge, all hostages are physically unharmed, said a police spokesman on Friday evening
You have contact “into the pharmacy,” said the spokesman on site. According to the current status, there is no danger to the population. Nevertheless, the police called on people to avoid the area of operation and to follow the instructions of the emergency services. A school for accommodation was opened for residents. The police said that anyone who could not go home at the moment because of the blocking measures had the opportunity to go to the Nebeniusschule.
An eyewitness told the “Bild”: “The police have asked all the surrounding shops to close. The whole street is closed.” A businessman from the street reports that heavily armed police officers can be seen.