SEK special forces entered a store in Berlin’s Schöneberg district early Tuesday to stop the hostage-taking, German police said on Twitter, as quoted by DPA and Agerpres.

German special forces (SEK)Photo: Joerg Huettenhoelscher / Alamy / Profimedia Images

The author of the hostage-taking committed suicide; the person who was held captive for several hours, a man, was not injured.

According to the DPA photojournalist, the woman has already been rescued “from the danger zone”. She received minor injuries.

“I can confirm that the operation is complete,” a Berlin police spokesman said early Tuesday.

The special forces entered the store shortly after 02:30 local time (00:30 GMT). The store where this incident happened is located near Wittenberg shopping square.

The police surrounded the area for several hours.

In addition to special forces, an ambulance and medical workers arrived at the scene. Shortly after arriving, police arrested another man.

Currently, the police are checking whether he is an accomplice of the hostage. Both men were armed.

During the operation, the police asked local residents on Twitter not to publish photos of the special forces and the operation at the scene of the incident, so as not to put the lives of the participants in danger.