Man Takes Hostages in Dutch City of Almelo-Police

Police, who were trying to talk to the man, would not confirm some hostages had been released.

A man took an unknown number of people hostage in the city hall of Almelo, a Dutch town some 150 km (100 miles) east of Amsterdam on Monday, police said.

Some 50 people left the building under police escort through a side exit around 1200 GMT, the Dutch news agency ANP reported, citing an eyewitness.

Police, who were trying to talk to the man, would not confirm some hostages had been released.

A spokeswoman said police did not know whether the man was armed.

A burnt-out car was standing in front of the city hall and a restaurant in the city had been set on fire but it was not clear whether there was a link to the hostage drama, police said.