Title: Hostage Situation Shuts Down Hamburg Airport, Likely a Custody Dispute
Date: November 5, 2023
Hamburg airport in Germany remained closed on Sunday as authorities dealt with a hostage situation believed to be related to a custody dispute. The incident occurred when a man drove through a barrier onto the grounds of the airport with his 4-year-old daughter in the car.
The airport was closed for all takeoffs and landings on Saturday evening after a significant number of police officers arrived at the scene. The car, with the 35-year-old man and the young girl, was found parked under a plane, according to a police spokesperson.
“The operation continues. Our negotiators are in contact with the person in the car,” the police posted on Sunday on the social media platform X. The police continued to communicate with the person in the car, with translation assistance in Turkish, according to a spokesperson.
While the child’s mother informed the police that the father had been in contact with her, the authorities did not confirm earlier reports that the man was armed or had fired any shots.
Hamburg airport authorities revealed that 286 flights with approximately 34,500 passengers were scheduled for Sunday, all of which have been affected by the closure.
The situation at Hamburg airport emphasizes the significance of family disputes and their potential implications. Authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of all parties involved while resolving the situation peacefully.
Reporting by Joern Poltz, Tom Sims, and Tanya Wood.
Editing by Daniel Wallis, William Mallard, and David Evans.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the information provided in the Reuters report. As an AI, I have presented the available information and have not independently verified its accuracy.