German police have confirmed the evacuation of a shopping center in the town of Drede (east) following a confirmed hostage-taking by assailants.
According to security authorities, it is the Altmarkt-Galerie shopping center in the center of the city. The surrounding areas are also being cleared and the Striezelmarkt Christmas market has been closed.
However, the police have so far not confirmed media reports of an alleged shooting in which one person was shot and wounded.
A police spokesman has confirmed to the German agency DPA that the situation is, for the moment, very confusing.
