HEAVILY armed police caught a suspected hostage-taker at one of Europe's busiest train stations in Cologne and freed an injured hostage.

Specially trained cops negotiated with the suspect who was holed up in a pharmacy in Breslauer Platz near the terminus in the western German city before storming the shop.

6 Officers from SEK (German special police forces) arriving on the scene Credit: AFP

"The suspect is under control," Cologne police said on Twitter.

The female hostage sustained light injuries. But her captor was seriously injured and had to be resuscitated at the scene.

A spokeswoman said officers had forced their way into a pharmacy where the suspect was, adding that the hostage-taker's motives were unclear.

The station was evacuated and people were being warned to stay clear of the area as heavily armed cops moved in.

6 Thousands of passengers can be seen being ushered out of the station as the drama unfolded Credit: AFP

German magazine Focus had earlier reported that several shots appeared to have been fired at Cologne's main train station, although police have not confirmed this.

Police officer Christoph Schulte said the incident appears to have started at 12.45 pm.

He said parts of the station, one of the biggest in Europe, were closed off as well as Breslauer Platz square behind the station.

6 A heavily armed policeman checks his weapon before he moves into position Credit: AFP

6 A fire-fighter can be seen in breathing gear outside the station Credit: Getty Images - Getty

6 Police can be seen in the corridors of the station as special units move in Credit: AP:Associated Press

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6 Thousands of passengers wait outside the trans-European terminus Credit: Reuters

German railroad operator Deutsche Bahn tweeted that some of the station's tracks were shut down temporarily.

Germany is on high alert for militant attacks, almost two years after a Tunisian Islamist rammed a hijacked truck into a Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 11 people as well as the driver.

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