In a brazen daylight robbery, several armed men stormed a Crédit Agricole bank branch in Naples, Italy, taking 25 people hostage before vanishing through a tunnel, leaving authorities scrambling.
Police surrounded the bank shortly after the robbery began around midday local time. For approximately two hours, negotiators worked to secure the release of the hostages, who were reportedly locked in a room. While the robbers were armed, one hostage later told local media they "did not use violence."
Dramatic scenes unfolded as firefighters smashed a window with battering rams to help people escape. Videos showed some hostages calmly brushing off glass shards, while others emerged visibly shaken, crying and embracing relatives. Six people required medical assistance for shock.
"Thanks to the swift response... all the hostages were freed shortly after 13:30 without serious injuries," said regional official Michele di Bari.
As a large crowd gathered in the square and thousands tuned into a live stream, special forces were urgently flown in from Tuscany. Hours later, they stormed the building, with the sounds of shots and stun grenades echoing in the feed.
However, the robbers had already made their escape. Local media reported they fled through a tunnel, possibly into the city's sewer system. The live feed later showed carabinieri and firefighters peering into a nearby manhole.
The value of the stolen loot remains unknown, as the thieves reportedly targeted personal safety deposit boxes rather than cash. The investigation into the elaborate escape and the perpetrators' identities continues.