Hostages freed after being held for nine hours at P&G plant in Turkey
According to local authorities, seven workers who were held captive at a Proctor & Gamble (P&G) facility near Istanbul have been rescued following a nine-hour ordeal.
Turkish police freed the group from the factory in Gebza after the suspect took a break, reportedly to use the bathroom.
Seddar Yavuz, the local governor, stated that the hostages emerged from the incident without any injuries.
After a “meticulous” rescue operation, officials detained the suspect unharmed, as per Mr. Yavuz.
The hostage-taking began around 3:00 PM local time (12:00 GMT), as reported by the DHA news agency. The hostages were released close to midnight local time (21:00 GMT).
Authorities mentioned that the suspect aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing situation in Gaza.
An image circulated on social media earlier showed the individual with wires and potentially explosives attached to his chest, while holding what seemed to be a handgun.
Reportedly, a Palestinian flag was painted at the building’s entrance with a sign declaring “doors will be open for Gaza.”
Police officers cordoned off access to the factory and medical staff were dispatched to the scene.
Officials say a large-scale investigation into the incident is under way.
Footage from the scene during the standoff showed relatives of some hostages clustered together at a police cordon some distance from the plant.
İsmet Zihni, whose wife works at the plant, told the DHA news agency she had sent him a message saying she had been taken hostage.
However, he added he did not know “if it was her or someone else”.
Relatives of the hostages had expressed frustration at the lack of information from Turkish officials or the police.
“We have been waiting for six hours without any official making a statement,” the father of one hostage told AFP earlier.
In a statement, P&G said it was relieved no-one was harmed during the incident.
“We are grateful to the authorities and first responders who managed the situation with courage and professionalism,” the company added.
It also said the suspect was not an employee.
