A hostage-taking robbery took place at a Credit Agricole bank branch in Naples, in Piazzale Medaglie D'oro, in the Arenella district.

When law enforcement arrived, the armed robbers barricaded themselves inside with the hostages . There were about thirty people inside the branch, including employees and customers.

After a tense moment, the hostages were freed. Law enforcement, with the help of firefighters, opened a door and entered the institution, managing to free the hostages. Six of them felt ill and required medical attention; an ambulance also arrived on the scene. Fortunately, it was just a frightening experience; none of them were seriously injured.

Shortly before 2 p.m., Naples Public Prosecutor Nicola Gratteri also arrived on the scene.

According to Fanpage, the GIS special units, the Carabinieri's top brass, stormed the building around 4:45 PM, and five or six shots were heard—it's unclear whether they were bullets or stun grenades. But the bandits had already fled, most likely through a hole found in the floor that led to the sewer system.

According to LaPresse, the gang broke into the bank by smashing the window with a car, a possibly stolen Alfa Romeo Giulietta, with a counterfeit license plate glued to it.

(Unioneonline)