Dozens taken hostage during bank robbery in Italy

In Naples, an armed bank robbery ended with a hostage situation, followed by the suspects escaping through a tunnel.

Several men entered a Crédit Agricole branch in broad daylight and held around 25 people inside. Police quickly cordoned off the building and began negotiations with the attackers, the BBC reports, citing local media.

After approximately two hours, the hostages were released. They were evacuated through windows with the help of firefighters; some were in a state of shock, and six people required medical assistance.

Witnesses said the armed suspects held people inside the building but did not use physical violence. No one sustained serious injuries.

According to regional official Michele Di Bari, all hostages were released shortly after 13:30 local time.

Law enforcement later stormed the building, but by that point, the attackers had allegedly already escaped through a tunnel or the sewage system. Carabinieri and firefighters are currently searching the area.

Preliminary reports suggest the suspects may not have stolen cash but instead targeted the contents of individual safe-deposit boxes. The exact value of the damage has not yet been determined.