German police advised travelers on Sunday (November 5) to avoid Hamburg Airport as a hostage situation is underway.
As a result, the city airport has been closed to passengers and flights canceled since Saturday night (November 4) when an armed 35-year-old man broke through an airport gate with his vehicle and fired two shots into the air, German news agency DPA reported.
++AKTUELL++
— Polizei Hamburg (@PolizeiHamburg) November 4, 2023
Derzeit kommt es auf dem Rollfeld des @HamburgAirport zu einem größeren Polizeieinsatz.
Wir sind mit einem Großaufgebot an Einsatzkräften vor Ort.
Aktuell gehen wir von einer statischen Geisellage aus.
Nähere Informationen folgen.#Hamburg #HamburgAirport pic.twitter.com/dGOml6Ovzw
Aside from a gun, the man was also allegedly in possession of explosive devices inside the car.
Inside the car with him was his four-year-old daughter, whom he had reportedly taken by force from the mother in a possible child custody battle.
Police Negotiating with Hostage Taker
Police said that a psychologist had been negotiating with the man for hours, the Associated Press reported, and there was no indication that other people could be at risk of being harmed as all airport passengers and staff had been evacuated.
Authorities added that they are currently negotiating how to protect the child.
"According to our current knowledge, the child is physically well," police added.
Local media also reported that the mother of the abducted girl was at the scene and getting psychological help through the German Red Cross.
Around 126 flights were canceled at Hamburg Airport on Sunday, while five planes were rerouted. Meanwhile, thousands of travelers have been affected by the standoff, and hundreds were put in hotels for the time being.
This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.
