Police overcame a man armed with a box cutter who held a dozen children and a teacher hostage for ransom at a nursery school in southern Italy on Wednesday, a spokesman said.
"He surrendered without put-ting up a fight," police said after the five-hour ordeal in Reggio di Calabria.
ANSA said the female teacher had managed to keep the children entertained during the ordeal so that they did not panic.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The man had gained entry into the school by saying he was the father of one of the pupils. ANSA said he had earlier tried to enter an elementary school in the same neighborhood but was turned away by staff.
The man demanded a ransom of 500,000 euros (US$725,000).
ANSA said the man was taken to a hospital for medical tests.
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