Who is the woman behind the Aachen Hospital siege?

A 65-year-old woman was shot and injured by police after a standoff at a hospital in the German city of Aachen on Monday. The woman had barricaded herself in a room with a blank-firing gun and threatened the staff of a physiotherapy practice inside the hospital. She also set off pyrotechnics, causing smoke and fire alarms to go off.

The incident triggered a large-scale police operation, with special forces, helicopters and negotiators deployed to the scene. The hospital, known as Luisenhospital, was evacuated and the surrounding area was cordoned off. Almost 400 patients and staff were inside the facility at the time of the standoff.

The Aachen Police stated, "According to our current information, a 65-year-old woman entered the hospital in the afternoon. Employees soon noticed smoke developing near her. She has since barricaded herself in a room. We have evacuated the surrounding rooms and our special forces are currently on site."

The motive of the woman is still unclear. The police said they did not know if she had any connection to the hospital or the physiotherapy practice. They also said they did not have any information about her mental health or criminal history.

The police are investigating the incident as a possible case of attempted murder and arson. They are also looking into whether the woman had any accomplices or supporters.

After a long standoff, the police brought the woman out of the clinic around 10am GMT (11pm local time). Stern.de, Bild and the German news agency DPA reported this, along with other local media.

The hospital is one of the largest in the region and offers a range of medical services. It is located near the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. The city of Aachen is known for its historic cathedral and its university.

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