Hostages at Procter & Gamble plant outdoors Istanbul rescued after 9-hour ordeal | EUROtoday

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Seven individuals taken hostage by a gunman at a manufacturing unit in Turkey owned by a US firm have been rescued after 9 hours of ordeal, officers stated.

Authorities detained the gunman who took captives at American multinational Procter & Gamble’s plant outdoors capital Istanbul, apparently in protest of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Turkish media printed a picture of the suspect contained in the manufacturing unit – a person who coated his face utilizing a Palestinian scarf whereas carrying what gave the impression to be a vest rigged with explosives, and holding a handgun.

Another photograph from the scene confirmed the person holding a gun in a single hand and making a ‘V’ signal together with his different hand in entrance of a wall on which Turkish and Palestinian flags had been painted with a script that reads: “Gates will open. Either coffin rest or death for Gaza.”

Hours later, native governor Seddar Yavuz and a P&G spokesperson confirmed that the scenario on the plant in Gebze within the province of Kocaeli had been resolved, including that each one personnel had been secure and the assailant was apprehended by regulation enforcement.

He was held after a “meticulous” rescue operation, Mr Yavuz was quoted as saying by BBC News.

The rescue operation was launched after negotiation with the hostage-taker failed, stated his workplace. “Our security forces intervened and neutralised the suspect,” the assertion stated, including that he was an worker of the manufacturing unit who “wanted to draw attention to the ongoing occupation in Gaza”.

“The fact that no one was harmed is our greatest relief,” said the company spokesperson. “We are grateful to the authorities and first responders who managed the situation with courage and professionalism.”

The suspect entered the manufacturing unit in Gebze industrial zone at round 3pm native time (1200 GMT) and took seven members of the employees hostage, together with six males and a lady.

Some 27,000 individuals have been killed in Israel’s army operation since 7 October, in keeping with the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.

P&G Turkey employs 700 individuals at three websites in Istanbul and Kocaeli, in keeping with the corporate’s web site. It produces cleansing and hygiene manufacturers such because the Ariel washing powder and Oral B toothpaste.

Public feeling towards Israel and its essential ally the US has risen in Turkey for the reason that battle started, with common protests in assist of the Palestinian individuals in main cities and requires a direct cease-fire.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been notably outspoken, referring to Israeli “war crimes” and evaluating prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi chief Adolf Hitler.

The US Embassy in Ankara issued a warning in November about demonstrations “critical of US foreign policy” and requires boycotts of US companies. The recommendation adopted protests and assaults on retailers comparable to McDonald’s and Starbucks over the battle in Gaza.

Additional reporting by businesses