Police have freed two hostages at a German bank but at least one suspect has fled the scene.
The incident in Sinzig, about 12 miles south of Bonn, began at 9am local time and officers believe "several perpetrators" were involved.
In an update this afternoon, they said the hostages, who included a cash delivery driver, had been freed unhurt from a locked room by police special forces.
They said those responsible had apparently left straight after locking their captives in the vault.
Police did not say whether the perpetrators made off with any cash or valuables.
The area around a Volksbank branch in the centre of the town was cordoned off during the incident.
German news site Bild said the cash delivery driver had been grabbed when their truck pulled up outside the bank, with pictures showing a blue van blocking the street outside.
(c) Sky News 2026: Police free hostages from Sinzig bank vault but at least one suspect on the run
English council elections: Analysis in maps and charts and find the result from your seat
Paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins was 'bullied' for money and threatened before jail stabbing, court hears
Man denies using threatening words towards Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
South Africa's top court rules against Cyril Ramaphosa over 'Farmgate' scandal
Household energy suppliers E.ON and Ovo target merger announcement next week | Mark Kleinman blog
What has South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa been accused of?
Britain's first gay surrogate parent charged with rape and human trafficking
North Korea's Kim Jong Un and daughter eat with crew on new warship Choe Hyon
