Several people held hostage in a pharmacy in central Karlsruhe

Several people are being held hostage at a pharmacy in central Karlsruhe, according to police on Friday evening as they closed off roads in the area in a large-scale operation.

“Fortunately, no hostages are physically injured,” said police spokesman Dennis Krull, about 4 hours after the situation began.

The police were first notified of the situation by emergency calls that arrived at around 4.30pm (3.30pm GMT).

It’s unclear how many perpetrators are involved, and Krull said he couldn’t provide any information on this or “possible ransom calls and requests for tactical reasons.”

Krull said police were in contact “inside the pharmacy,” which is located in central Karlsruhe on one of the main streets.

The police are calling in additional emergency forces, the dpa learned from police sources.

Emergency services cordoned off a large area around the pharmacy, where numerous police vehicles and ambulances could be seen.

The police also opened a school for the residents because several road closures prevented some people who lived in the area from reaching their homes.

There is no danger to the population, police said, but they asked people to avoid the area and to follow the instructions given by the emergency services.

In response to the situation, the Karlsruhe trade fair has canceled two evening events, a spokesperson told dpa.

He said there was no way for visitors to access the concert or event involving a dog trainer, as both are close to the area that police have closed off.

Even the famous dog trainer Martin Rütter asked his fans not to come to the event.

“The event has just been canceled now, and it is because as the crow flies 100 meters away there is an armed hostage situation in a pharmacy,” Rütter said in a video posted on Instagram.