MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. An unidentified man took hostages in the building of the Moscow Credit Bank in the east of Russian capital on Wednesday. The attacker was killed in a police operation. Hostages have been freed and are in safety.
Attack on bank
"At 20.37 Moscow time (17.37 GMT) an unidentified man wearing a mask entered the bank and threatening with an object resembling a gun did not let the staff out," the Moscow police press service told TASS. The police officers managed to get the attacker to release five hostages.
Earlier reports said that three people could stay inside the bank. Later, the police said that "staff members have been released from the building but for one woman who had locked herself in a back office." There were no customers among the hostages.
The man calling himself Aleksey demanded 4.7 mln roubles ($71,164) and 13,000 euros, threatening to detonate an explosive device.
Special operation
The hostage taker was shot dead by officers of the Russian rapid response force after trying to detonate a homemade device. All the hostages have been released and are in safety.
Bomb disposal experts are working at the Moscow Credit Bank office where an unidentified hostage taker holds in his hands an object resembling an explosive device. Wires could be seen under the dead man’s clothes.
No-one hurt among bank staff
No-one was hurt among the staff and customers of the bank. Residents have been evacuated and will be allowed into their flats after investigative activities end at the site, the law enforcement agencies said.