Hostage Situation at Naples Crédit Agricole Bank
Several armed men carried out a daylight robbery at a Crédit Agricole bank branch in Naples, southern Italy, taking 25 people hostage before escaping through a tunnel.
The incident began around midday local time (10:00 GMT), prompting police to surround the bank promptly after the robbery commenced.
Negotiations and Hostage Release
Local media reported that authorities engaged in negotiations with the robbers, leading to the release of the hostages approximately two hours into the standoff.
Videos shared on social media showed firemen breaking a window with battering rams and assisting people in climbing out from inside the bank.
While some hostages appeared unharmed and walked away after brushing off glass shards, others were visibly distressed, crying and embracing relatives. Six individuals exhibiting shock received medical attention.
One man later told local news site Fanpage.it that the robbers had locked them into a room and that, while they were armed, "they did not use violence".
No serious injuries were reported. Regional official Michele di Bari stated,
"Thanks to the swift response... all the hostages were freed shortly after 13:30 without serious injuries."
Response and Police Action
A large crowd of bystanders, local residents, and firefighters gathered in the square near the bank, awaiting updates. Tens of thousands of people followed a livestream from the scene.
Special forces from the carabinieri, Italy's armed police, were urgently dispatched from Tuscany to assist.
Several hours after the initial standoff, the special forces stormed the bank by breaking a window. Shortly thereafter, the live feed captured several gunshots and the loud detonations of stun grenades.
Escape Through Tunnel
By the time the police entered, the robbers had reportedly escaped through a tunnel, according to local media. It is believed they may have used the sewer system to vanish.
Subsequent video footage showed carabinieri and firefighters inspecting a nearby manhole, while a crowd continued to gather in the square.
Fanpage.it reported that the exact value of the stolen items was not yet determined, as the robbers had taken personal safety deposit boxes rather than cash.
