‘Hostage situation’ unfolds at German airport after armed driver smashes security gate with 4-year-old

A hostage situation is unfolding at the Hamburg airport in Germany after an armed driver smashed through an airport gate with his vehicle Saturday night.

German police said Saturday night that an ongoing hostage situation was taking place at the Hamburg airport after the man drove through the airport gate with his 4-year-old daughter in the car and fired twice into the air. Police said that they have made contact with the man, and that it is likely a child custody situation as the man’s wife previously contacted the authorities about a possible abduction.

“We must currently assume that he is in possession of a live firearm and possibly also explosive devices of an unknown type,” police wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Our top priority is to protect the child. According to our current knowledge, the child is physically well,” they added.

Authorities evacuated the remaining aircraft with passengers as authorities and psychologists continued to negotiate with the man. The Hamburg’s latest update from Sunday morning stated that the situation was still “static,” adding that all flights will remain suspended.

“The police ask all passengers and those collecting them NOT to come to the airport. The access roads are largely blocked off,” the Hamburg Airport posted on X.

As of Sunday morning, 107 flights have been canceled or delayed at the Hamburg Airport, according to FlightAware.

The Associated Press contributed.