Several people, including a cash delivery driver, have been taken hostage at a bank in western Germany, say police.
The incident in Sinzig, about 12 miles south of Bonn, was reported at 9am (8am UK time) and the situation is described as "stable".
"It is currently believed that there are several perpetrators and hostages inside the bank," police said.
The area around a Volksbank branch in the centre of the town has been cordoned off and special forces are reportedly positioned at the entrances.
The hostage takers are said to be holed up inside the vault, according to German news site Bild.
It said the driver was taken hostage when their armoured truck pulled up outside the bank, with pictures showing a blue van parked partially blocking the street outside.
Despite the ongoing stand off, police said there was no wider threat to the public.
(c) Sky News 2026: Hostages taken as police surround bank in German town of Sinzig


English council elections: What the results so far are telling us, in maps and charts
Labour Party on course to suffer one of its worst-ever electoral defeats
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
Election results bleak for Starmer - but plans to replace him may be fading
What has South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa been accused of?
Key parking fine rules clarified by appeals body - with operators increasingly giving up cases
Britain's first gay surrogate parent charged with rape and human trafficking






