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Because of a "dangerous situation" at a school, the police went on a large-scale operation in Siegburg (near Bonn) on Wednesday morning. According to the information, an armed person was seen on the premises of the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Realschule, and banging noises are said to have been heard. After the officers arrived, ammunition and the remains of ignited fireworks were found there. To be on the safe side, the school was searched by special forces. Officials found a "suspicious object" under a vehicle that should be examined. A result was initially not available.

At noon, however, there was a cautious all-clear: "The police currently have no knowledge that the person seen by witnesses went to school," it said. The person was searched for, and a helicopter was also in use.

A little later, the police identified several suspects. "Several people were found who fit the description of the perpetrator. They are currently being checked by us," said a police spokesman for the DPA news agency. "One cannot yet speak of an arrest." Further details were not initially known.

According to the police, the students locked themselves in the classrooms with their teachers after the amok alarm and were later taken to safety from the school. The police called for people to avoid the area around the school, and the area was cordoned off.

The Alexander-von-Humboldt-Realschule is located on the same site as other educational institutions. Around 540 pupils attend the Realschule. 38 teachers are employed there.

Sources: Rhein-Sieg district police authority on Twitter, Alexander-von-Humboldt-Realschule Siegburg, DPA news agency