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Germany cinema shooting: Gunman dead after opening fire and 'takes hostages' at Kinopolis complex in Viernheim Germany cinema shooting: Gunman opens fire and takes hostages at Kinopolis complex in Viernheim
(35 minutes later)
A gunman has opened fire at a cinema in Germany and reportedly taken a number of hostages. A gunman has been shot dead after opening fire at a cinema in Germany and reportedly taking a number of hostages.
Police are on the scene at Kinopolis in the town of Viernheim, where dozens of people are feared to be injured. Police are on the scene at Kinopolis in the town of Viernheim but said there were no serious injuries.
A heavily armed attacker wearing a mask burst in at around 3pm local time (2pm BST), the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported. An armed attacker wearing a mask burst in shortly before 3pm local time (2pm BST), the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported.
The Hessen state internior ministry said the man was dead amid reports he had been shot by police. A police spokesperson told N-TV television he then took several hostages, who were unharmed.
At least 20 people have reportedly been injured, allegedly as the result of the use of tear gas during the operation. The Hessen internior minister, Peter Beuth, told the state parliament the man was shot dead by police after armed units surrounded the cinema.
Officers said there was a “threat situation” but have not yet given any further updates. "The police had an emergency call at 2.45pm [1.45pm BST]. The caller said there was a masked man...armed with a long gun. It is unclear whether it was a real gun," he added.
There were no immediate reports of death, or indication of a motive for the attack. "The caller heard four shots and said that the masked man appeared a little mentally unstable. Police special forces were called."
Television footage showed a couple fleeing the building as officers carrying guns and wearing helmets and body armour moved in.
At least 25 people reportedly suffered from the effects of teargas during the operation.
There were no immediate indication of a motive for the attack.
Isis has recently threatened Germany, as well as other European nations supporting the US-led coalition bombing its territories in Syria and Iraq, but there was no evidence of a link.