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One Astrakhan hostage released – regional police

Talks with the man who has taken hostages are continuing

ASTRAKHAN, March 14 (Itar-Tass) – The man who took four hostages at the Volgo-Kaspiisky college in Astrakhan has released a woman, regional police spokesman Pyotr Rusanov told Itar-Tass.

"Talks are continuing with the man who has taken hostages. His demand that food and drinks /pizza and coca-cola - eds Itar-Tass/ be delivered has been met," Rusanov said.

Earlier reports said the man, at 14:00, Moscow time, threatened college personnel with a pistol, and locked himself in a classroom with two college staff and two students. Experts from the regional Investigative Committee /SK/ department rushed to the scene.

All safety measures are being taken, the SK said.

Police sealed off the area and evacuated college personnel, students and tenants in nearby buildings. An operations headquarters was set up at the scene. Supposedly, the hostage-taker has an explosive device.

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