Man takes four hostage in Russia: officials

MOSCOW, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A gunman took four people hostage in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan, local police said Thursday.

According to the police, a man armed with a handgun was holding two girls and two teachers in a college in the city's downtown at 14:00 Moscow time (1000 GMT).

"A man has barricaded himself and his hostages inside a classroom," the website of the Investigative Committee of Astrakhan region said.

The hostage-taker had not presented any demands so far, but asked for food and drink, it said. Police said negotiations were underway.

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