The area around the church is cordoned off Photo: picture alliance/dpa
From the BZ editorial team
In the Hamburg district of Alsterdorf there was a bloodbath in a meeting house of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Thursday evening, killing several people.
The fatal shots were fired around 9 p.m.
According to BILD, seven people were killed and at least eight others injured. The police spoke of a large situation.
The violence took place in a “Kingdom Hall” of Jehovah’s Witnesses – a building used for worship.
Police officers in special equipment on duty Photo: picture alliance/dpa
A dpa reporter on site reported a large contingent of special police forces. Accordingly, rescue workers carried people out of the building.
The police called for avoiding the affected area around the Deelböge. “Seek shelter in a building immediately,” it said.
According to further information from the police, there is no indication of a fugitive perpetrator.
According to the Hamburg police, the background to the shots is still unclear. “So far, there is no reliable information about the motive,” wrote the police on Twitter. “We ask that you do not share unsecured assumptions and/or spread rumours.”