Gunmen take 25 hostages in Italy's Naples bank robbery, escape through tunnel

An attempted bank robbery in southern Italy turned into a tense hostage crisis, as armed suspects held 25 people inside a branch in Naples before escaping through an underground route, Rai News reported on Friday.

The incident occurred in Piazza Medaglie d'Oro, where at least three assailants arrived in a private car with fake license plates, entered the bank armed and with their faces covered, and took employees and customers hostage.

Law enforcement swiftly cordoned off the area, launching a large-scale operation that lasted several hours.

Firefighters eventually gained access to the building by breaking a window, allowing authorities to secure the release of all hostages at around 1.30 pm (1130GMT) local time on Thursday.

Six individuals required medical assistance for shock, but none were hospitalized, officials confirmed.

Later in the afternoon, at approximately 4.30 pm (1430GMT), Italy's elite Carabinieri Special Intervention Group conducted a raid on the premises.

Witnesses reported hearing gunfire during the operation, which lasted about 30 minutes.

However, no suspects were found inside the bank.

Investigators later discovered a hole in the floor, believed to have been used by the robbers to escape, possibly through an underground passage.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects, and investigations are ongoing.