An armed police officer who was receiving psychiatric treatment at an Istanbul hospital barricaded himself into a room and attempted suicide.

Turkish media previously reported that an armed man was holding staff hostage at Cerrahpasa hospital.

Officials later said no one was held but admitted the incident caused panic in the medical facility.

A hospital spokesman told the Dogan news agency all staff were evacuated from the affected ward.

Police were sent in to negotiate to persuade the man to give himself up.


The 30-year-old, who had been receiving psychiatric treatment at Cerrahpasa for two years, was later taken to Istanbul's main psychiatric hospital.

Zekayi Kutlubay, the hospital's chief doctor, said the man was armed with a gun, even though the police force had earlier confiscated his gun because of his psychiatric problems.

It is not clear how he obtained the weapon.

Turkey has been tense since a spate of deadly attacks, including an armed assault at an Istanbul nightclub during a New Year's celebration that left 39 people dead.