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Cologne hostage situation: German police free woman held in city's main train station

German police have freed a woman who was taken hostage in Cologne's main train station and have taken her captor into custody.

Officers stormed the pharmacy where a man was holding the woman and managed to win her release shortly after 3pm local time (2pm BST) on Monday.

Police forces stand at the Cologne, western Germany, main station on Monday (AP)
Police forces stand at the Cologne, western Germany, main station on Monday (AP)

The entire station, one of the biggest in the country, was evacuated and closed off at around 12.45pm (11.45am BST) as well as Breslauer Platz square behind the station.

Two hours later, a police spokesman wrote: "The offender is under control. The operational measures continue.

"Continue to avoid the area over a large area. A female is slightly injured and is currently being cared for."

Federal police quoted by Blick said that a man had argued with a woman in a McDonald's, before the dispute moved to a pharmacy and escalated into a hostage situation.

Police have confirmed that there is a possible hostage scenario at a pharmacy inside the station building (Getty Images)
Police have confirmed that there is a possible hostage scenario at a pharmacy inside the station building (Getty Images)

Police also said the captured suspect had been seriously injured during their operation and was being resuscitated.

German magazine Focus had earlier reported that several shots appeared to have been fired at Cologne's main train station, which is next to the city's landmark cathedral.

Police said said they were unaware of any shots having been fired.

Police stand outside Cologne main railway station (Getty Images)
Police stand outside Cologne main railway station (Getty Images)

Police had previously said that specially-trained officers were talking to the hostage taker, who hadn't been identified.

"We are in contact with the man," police spokesman Christoph Gilles told broadcaster n-tv.

"We need to find out what he wants, what his demands are and whether he carries a weapon," he said, adding that police weren't aware of the man's motive.

"We're doing everything to get the hostage out of there unharmed," Mr Gilles said.

Passengers wait outside the main train station in Cologne (REUTERS)
Passengers wait outside the main train station in Cologne (REUTERS)

German railroad operator Deutsche Bahn said that all train traffic was shut down due to the hostage situation.

Ambulances and heavily-armed police were also lined up in wait behind the train station.

Police on Twitter advised people to avoid the station and passengers were reportedly told via a loudspeaker to evacuate.​