
Moments of terror have been recorded in the Arenella area, in Piazza Medaglie d'Oro in Naples, Italy, where an armed robbery at the Credit Agricole bank branch has ended with a hostage situation inside the building.
According to Italian authorities, several armed men entered the bank and locked themselves inside, taking about 25 people hostage, including customers and employees.
Carabinieri forces immediately arrived at the scene, surrounded the area and evacuated the danger perimeter. With the help of firefighters, a special tool was used to break the main entrance, opening a passage for intervention inside the building.
After the intervention of law enforcement, a phase of negotiations began that led to the release of all hostages.
According to initial reports, 6 people, bank employees and customers, received medical assistance at the scene due to severe anxiety, but fortunately without serious injuries.
Investigators do not rule out the possibility that the perpetrators, a group of 3-4 people wearing improvised masks with actors' faces, escaped through an opening made in the wall or floor of the bank. The version remains under investigation, while the arrival of the GIS special forces is awaited to fully clarify the circumstances.
Meanwhile, in Medaglie d'Oro Square, searches are also being carried out on a vehicle that is suspected to have been used by the robbers during the crime.