In Karlsruhe, the police are in a large-scale operation because of a hostage-taking. The crime is still ongoing, said a spokesman for the German Press Agency early Friday evening. One or more hostages were taken in a pharmacy.

The crime scene is in the middle of downtown Karlsruhe on one of the main streets. The forces cordoned off the area over a wide area. The large-scale operation is currently still "growing", as the DPA learned from police circles. We are currently pulling together more emergency services. The hostage-taking began late Friday afternoon around 4:30 p.m.

The police are in contact with the alleged hostage-taker or hostage-takers. That said a police spokesman for the German Press Agency on site. According to the current status, there is no danger to the population. One cannot currently provide any information on the number of hostages or perpetrators, said the spokesman.