Hamburg Several people were killed and a few injured when shots were fired during a Jehovah’s Witnesses event in Hamburg. According to information from the “Bild” newspaper, seven people died on Thursday evening and at least eight other people were injured. “The dead all have gunshot wounds,” said a police spokesman.
The incident happened in the Alsterdorf district of Hamburg. The police spoke of a large situation. According to information from security circles, the Hamburg police classified the shots as an amok act.
“According to initial findings, there are several dead among the victims,” it said. The police initially did not give concrete figures. The Hamburg interior authority initially did not want to confirm any numbers either.
There is no indication of a fugitive perpetrator: “At the moment the situation is calm,” said a police spokesman. Patrol cars with blue lights cordoned off the crime scene in the evening. Patrol officers with submachine guns additionally secured the area.
Hamburg’s Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) was dismayed by the shots during an event of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “The reports from Alsterdorf / Groß Borstel are shocking,” wrote Tschentscher on Twitter. “My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The emergency services are working flat out to track down the perpetrators and clarify the background.” Tschentscher called on citizens to heed the police’s instructions.
An official hazard announcement by the Hamburg Interior Ministry spoke of an “extreme danger”. “Around 9:00 p.m. today, one or more unknown perpetrators shot people in a church,” the text said. The police were informed by telephone about the shots at around 9:15 p.m.
A special unit of the riot police, which was nearby, went into the object and even heard a shot, the police spokesman continued. A person was also found. “It is still unclear whether this is the perpetrator.”
What kind of event was held in the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses was initially unclear. “Several people were in the building during the event.”
The roads at the site of the damage were extensively cordoned off. The police asked road users to drive around the cordoned off area. “Avoid the danger zone. In the danger zone, stay where you are and do not go outside for the time being.” In addition, the emergency number 110 should only be used in extreme emergencies or for relevant observations.
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