Aachen siege LIVE: Hostages taken as police with machine guns surround German hospital | World | News

A major hospital in Germany has been sealed off amid reports of a potential hostage situation – with armed police and fire brigades on site. The hospital is located in Aachen, a city which borders Belgium with around 252,000 residents. 

Unconfirmed reports suggest an armed woman is threatening people inside the clinic. 

Aachen Police said in a statement: « The police and fire brigade are currently on duty at the Luisenhospital in Aachen. There are currently indications of a possible threatening situation. The area around the hospital is cordoned off. The police ask you to avoid the area. » 

German news outlet Bild wrote the area is surrounded by « heavily armed police with helmets, protective vests and submachine guns ». 

This is a live blog, see below for the latest updates.