Gunman dies at Estonian defence ministry in Tallinn

A gunman has died after taking hostages at Estonia's defence ministry in Tallinn, reports say.



Police arrived at the ministry after shots or small explosions were heard at about 15:30 (12:30 GMT).



The building was evacuated and police cordoned off the area.



It is not clear whether the gunman killed himself or was shot dead by police in an operation to free hostages, state broadcaster ERR reported. No other casualties have been reported.

Armed police outside the defence ministry in Tallinn, Estonia, 11 August 2011 It remains unclear whether the gunman shot himself or was killed by police



A former Estonian soldier had detonated an explosive device and fired a shot before taking a security guard hostage, a ministry official told ERR.



Other ministry employees jumped out of windows to flee the scene, before armed police wearing body armour entered the building, TV images showed.



Defence Minister Mart Laar was not thought to be in the ministry at the time of the hostage-taking.