Armed police swarm German hospital as woman reportedly barricades with 'pyrotechnics'

A 65-year-old woman has reportedly barricaded herself in a room, where smoke has been seen, with 'pyrotechnics.'

MARCH 4, 2024 23:17

Updated: MARCH 5, 2024 00:45

Forensic experts enter the area as special police searches for long-sought members Ernst Volker S. and Burkhard G. of Germany's notorious Red Army Faction (RAF) militant group, after decades on the run from armed robbery and attempted murder charges, in Berlin, Germany, March 3, 2024. (photo credit: Christian Mang/Reuters) — Forensic experts enter the area as special police searches for long-sought members Ernst Volker S. and Burkhard G. of Germany's notorious Red Army Faction (RAF) militant group, after decades on the run from armed robbery and attempted murder charges, in Berlin, Germany, March 3, 2024.

(photo credit: Christian Mang/Reuters)

Armed police have surrounded a hospital in Aachen, Germany, as a 65-year-old woman has barricaded herself in her room and potentially "ignited pyrotechnics," according to media and police reports from Monday night.

Smoke was reported coming out from the room, according to The Mirror, which also reported that she may be armed.

Police are heavily armed with "helmets, protective vests, and submachine guns," according to BILD.

Großeinsatz am Luisenhospital in Aachen: Aus dem Krankenhaus blinken rote Leuchten, zeigt ein Video. Die Aachener Zeitung meldet, dass das Kölner SEK im Einsatz und die Zugstrecke entlang des Krankenhauses zum Hauptbahnhof gesperrt sei. pic.twitter.com/Dri2bd6WjN
— vitus studemund (@vitusstudemund) March 4, 2024

German special police secures the area as they search for long-sought members Ernst Volker S. and Burkhard G. of Germany's notorious Red Army Faction (RAF) militant group, after decades on the run from armed robbery and attempted murder charges, in Berlin, Germany, March 3, 2024 (credit: Christian Mang/Reuters)

Police statements on the situation

Aachen Police said in a statement, "According to current information, a female (65) entered the hospital in the afternoon. Shortly afterward, employees noticed smoke developing near the woman."

Aktuell findet ein größerer #Polizei|einsatz im Umkreis des Luisenhospitals statt. Es kommt zu Straßensperrungen und Einschränkungen des Bahnverkehrs. Meiden Sie den Bereich weitläufig. Die Polizei #Aachen ist für Sie im Einsatz.
— Polizei NRW AC (@Polizei_NRW_AC) March 4, 2024

"The 65-year-old has now barricaded herself in a room. The surrounding rooms have been evacuated. Special forces are on site."

One police spokesman told German news outlet, T Online: "There are indications that this is a possible threatening situation and people should avoid the area."

An additional police spokesman added "The police operation is ongoing which is why I can only reveal few details so far which are verified. Shortly before 5 pm (1600 GMT), a woman entered Aachen’s Luisen Hospital and shortly afterwards, hospital employees said, smoke billowed in the vicinity of the woman. She then retracted to a room."

"First, we closed off the area and then ensured that the employees and the patients got to safety. Right now, special police forces are on site trying to solve the situation," he concluded.