Hamburg airport is closed over ‘hostage situation’ after armed man ‘rammed car through gate with four-year-old child inside before shooting into the air twice’

Hamburg airport is closed over ‘hostage situation’ after armed man ‘rammed car through gate with four-year-old child inside before shooting into the air twice’ Gunman drove through a barrier at Hamburg airport at around 8pm local time By Arthur Parashar Published: 21:48 GMT, 4 November 2023 | Updated: 00:33 GMT, 5 November 2023 e-mail 215 shares 5 View comments Hamburg airport has been closed over a ‘hostage situation’ after a gunman rammed a vehicle through a security gate with a four-year-old child inside before shooting a weapon in the air. The armed man ploughed through an airport barrier at around 8pm local time (7pm GMT) and fired a weapon twice, federal police said. After firing the shots, the man threw two burning bottles out of the vehicle, they added.

Police said that the desperate wife of the gunman had earlier reported a possible child abduction. They later said that the 35-year-old man had a four-year-old child inside the car and that they assumed he was the father and had taken the child by force from the mother in a possible custody battle. Police vehicles and ambulances arrive at the scene of a security breach at the Hamburg Airport After firing the shots, the man threw two burning bottles out of the vehicle.

Footage showed fires on the tarmac Police guard the scene of a security breach at the Hamburg Airport after a vehicle broke through Fire Department vehicles arrive at a security scene at the Hamburg Airport. Flights have been axed Special police arrives at the airport in Hamburg following the shocking incident this evening Firemen, rescue workers and police stand outside the airport in Hamburg as police deal with a ‘hostage situation’ A large number of officers from state and federal police were on site and in the vicinity of the vehicle, federal police spokesman Thomas Gerbert told German news agency dpa. Police said no one appeared to be injured, but the airport announced it was currently closed for takeoffs and landings.

Hamburg Police tweeted to say there was a ‘major police operation’ at the airport ‘with a large contingent of emergency services’. They added: ‘We are currently assuming a static hostage situation. ‘ Bild reports that the gunman drove in front of Terminal 1 in an Audi without a number plate.

The driver initially sped away but a few minutes later broke through a security barrier at the north gate and drove towards the planes. He is said to have started fires in the airport area by throwing burning bottles out of the car which were described as ‘a kind of Molotov cocktails’ by police spokesman Mr Gerbert. Footage shared on social media shows flames on the tarmac as fire crews rushed to the scene.

Passengers are evacuated from Hamburg Airport on November 5 after the incident Parts of a destroyed barrier are removed form a gate at the airport in Hamburg after the gunman drove through a gate Officers of German BFE police unit stand on the apron of Hamburg Airport while passengers are evacuated A bus from Hamburgs public transport service displays an ‘Evacuation’ message on a display outside of Hamburg Airport Special forces, fire crews and officers all descended on the scene as a major police operation is underway. A spokesperson for the airport said 27 flights had been affected. Police said that all terminals were evacuated – as was an aircraft which the armed man parked next to.

The passenger plane was full but its understood everyone has been evacuated and a collection point was set up at the nearby Radisson Blue hotel opposite the airport. Police also said that a psychologist was talking with the man and that there was no indication other people could be harmed since all passengers had evacuated the airport. Breaking News Share or comment on this article: Hamburg airport is closed over ‘hostage situation’ after armed man ‘rammed car through gate with four-year-old child inside before shooting into the air twice’ e-mail 215 shares Add comment Comments 5 Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all The comments below have been moderated in advance.

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