At least one suspect is at large after taking hostages and then fleeing the scene at a savings bank branch in the western German town of Sinzig, police said on Friday.
The hostages, including one cash transport driver, were released and unharmed, police added.
While the hostage situation was underway earlier on Friday, police said they were working on the assumption that there were multiple perpetrators.
The incident was first reported in the town's centre in the regional state of Rhineland-Palatinate at 0700 GMT.
Police said they had launched extensive operations and had cordoned off a large area.
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