Cologne train station has been cleared of passengers with local police reporting a hostage situation underway nearby.
RPT police said a hostage was taken at Breslauer Platz, a major square near the busy train station.
A police spokeswoman said special forces had been called to the scene.
She said: “We assume that a hostage has been taken, either at McDonald’s or at a nearby pharmacy.
“A woman is probably being held but we don’t have any further details.”
German magazine Focus had earlier reported several shots appeared to have been fired at Cologne’s main train station, which is next to the city’s landmark cathedral.
The police spokeswoman said police were unaware of any shots having been fired.
Photos taken at the scene show heavily armed officers at the station.
NTV quoted witnesses as claiming a woman had been “set on fire” in the McDonalds branch.
They said she then ran into the pharmacy to escape or seek treatment.
This has not been confirmed by police.
This is a developing story, more to follow…