Hamburg, Germany – An armed man ignited a tense standoff at Hamburg airport, as he breached security barriers and made his way onto the airport tarmac. Startling reports indicate that at least one child was present in the vehicle.
German police swiftly responded to what they’ve termed a “hostage situation” at the airport. The situation unfolded around 8 pm local time when an armed individual forcefully maneuvered his vehicle through security perimeters onto the tarmac. He discharged two shots into the air and hurled two incendiary devices from the vehicle, according to a police spokesperson.
Notably, the car harbored at least two individuals, including a child. It came to light that the driver’s wife had alerted authorities through an emergency call regarding the abduction of her child.
Authorities later disclosed that the root cause of this operation appears to stem from a custody dispute. The situation escalated to such an extent that the airport management was compelled to suspend all incoming and outgoing flights. The disruptions were expected to persist into the following day, and the entire airport premises were evacuated, with a substantial area cordoned off. Passengers were advised to abstain from traveling to the airport temporarily.
In the early hours of Sunday, law enforcement confirmed that the standoff persisted. A team of psychologists and negotiation specialists was deployed to the scene, and authorities maintained communication with the individual within the vehicle.
“We have established constructive communication with the perpetrator,” a police spokesperson revealed to German media. “Our approach is centered on achieving a peaceful resolution.” The protracted discussions were perceived as an encouraging sign by the authorities.
Reports from local media indicated that approximately 3,200 passengers were confronted with delays as a result of the incident.
This episode at Hamburg airport has once again highlighted the complexity of law enforcement and security in modern times.
By AFP
