TURKEY: STANDOFF AT LUXURY HOTEL CONTINUES AFTER GUNMEN TAKE GUESTS AND STAFF HOSTAGE

Record ID: 233134

  • Title: TURKEY: STANDOFF AT LUXURY HOTEL CONTINUES AFTER GUNMEN TAKE GUESTS AND STAFF HOSTAGE
  • Date: 24th April 2001
  • Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (APRIL 23, 2001) (REUTERS) (DAYLIGHT) 1. SLV EXTERIOR SHOTS OF HOTEL AT CENTRE OF HOSTAGE DRAMA 0.05 2. SLV POLICE/AMBULANCES IN ROAD; MV POLICE OFFICERS; MV MEDIA (6 SHOTS) 0.47 3. MV BREAKFAST SHIFT OF HOTEL STAFF BEING TURNED AWAY BY POLICE; SLV COACHES (3 SHOTS) 1.05 ISTANBUL, TURKEY (APRIL 23, 2001)
  • Embargoed: 9th May 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
  • Country: Turkey
  • Reuters ID: LVA90SF4H2CGONATMV4UM9KME86P
  • Story Text: The standoff at a luxury hotel in the Turkish city of
    Istanbul continues after a group of armed gunmen took a number
    of guests and members of staff hostage. It is understood the
    gunmen are Chechen supporters protesting at Russian military
    involvement in Chechnya.

    Gunmen were holding staff and guests hostage at the
    Swissotel in Istanbul. Breakfast staff arriving for work on
    Monday (April 23) morning were turned away by police who've
    cordoned off the hotel.

    Armed police officers had quickly surrounded the premises
    after reports reached them late on Sunday night that an armed
    gang had burst into the lobby, forcing staff to lie on the
    floor.

    Later, fifteen hostages were released. But it is not known
    how many people remain captive.The gunmen are demanding to
    speak to Turkish Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan.

    The hotel is popular with guests from all over the world.

    A Belgian visitor said he was in the lobby when a number of
    men dressed in black rushed into the hotel and there was the
    sound of gunshots. He immediately ran out into the hotel
    garden.

    A government spokesman confirmed negotiations with the
    hostage-takers are taking place but no details of their
    content have emerged at this stage.

    Turkey has a history of pro-Chechen attacks and sympathy
    for the Chechen separatist cause runs high in the country. The
    attack came just before a national holiday in Turkey. Russian
    forces are engaged in their second major military assault on
    Chechnya, aiming to bring the rebel Caucasus region back under
    Moscow's control.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register