Three armed robbers held hostages inside a bank in Naples before escaping through an underground tunnel, prompting a major police operation in the Italian city. The robbery took place at a branch of Crédit Agricole in the Arenella district, near Piazza Medaglie d’Oro. According to Italian media reports, the men entered the bank at about 11:30am and took control of the building while staff and customers were inside.

Police and emergency services were sent to the scene after the alarm was raised. Officers surrounded the branch and began efforts to secure the release of those inside.

Hostages freed after two-hour standoff

Around 25 people were inside the bank during the incident. They were held for roughly two hours before police entered the branch shortly after 01:30pm.

All hostages were freed and no serious injuries were reported. Medical teams attended the scene as a precaution and officers began taking statements from witnesses after the building was secured. Authorities have not said whether any of the hostages required hospital treatment, but early reports indicated there were no major physical injuries.

Suspects escaped before police entered

By the time officers entered the branch, the robbers had already fled. Investigators said the men escaped through a hole in the floor that connected to an underground tunnel system.

Italian reports said the route may have linked to Naples’ sewer network or other subterranean passages beneath the district. Police later searched nearby access points as part of the manhunt. The escape route suggested preparation before the robbery, with investigators examining whether the tunnel had been dug or accessed in advance. Forensic officers were deployed to inspect the opening inside the bank and gather evidence.

Unclear whether money was taken

Authorities did not immediately confirm whether any cash or valuables had been stolen. Investigators were expected to review security footage, bank records and witness accounts to establish what happened inside the branch. Police were also working to identify the suspects and determine how they entered and left the area without being stopped during the siege.

The branch was sealed off after the incident while officers carried out searches and technical examinations.

Large response in Naples district

The robbery drew a significant police presence in Arenella, a busy residential area of Naples. Roads around the branch were restricted while emergency services managed the operation.

Residents and passers-by gathered nearby as officers secured the perimeter. Images from the scene showed police vehicles and emergency crews outside the bank during the hostage situation. Local authorities urged people to avoid the immediate area while the response continued.

Use of tunnels has precedent in Italy

The method of escape recalled previous crimes in Italy involving underground access routes. In some past cases, robbers have used sewer systems or service tunnels to reach or leave buildings without using main entrances.

One widely reported case in Milan in 2020 involved criminals who entered a bank through the sewer network before being intercepted by police. Investigators in Naples will now examine whether the latest robbery was carried out by an organised group with specialist knowledge of underground routes.

Investigation continues

No arrests were announced in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Police were reviewing surveillance images from the bank and surrounding streets, along with any CCTV from nearby buildings and traffic cameras.

Officers were also expected to examine mobile phone data and other evidence that could help trace the suspects’ movements before and after the robbery. The condition of the tunnel, the tools used and the level of planning involved are likely to form a central part of the inquiry.

Focus on security measures

The incident is also expected to raise questions about security procedures at urban bank branches, particularly in cities with extensive underground infrastructure. Banks in older European cities sometimes operate above tunnels, basements or service networks that can create additional security challenges.

For now, the priority for investigators is locating the three men and establishing whether they acted alone or with outside assistance. The hostages have been released safely, but the robbery has left police searching for suspects who disappeared beneath one of Naples’ busiest districts.

Thousands of foreign residents in Spain are suddenly worried about one thing: will their immigration appointment still go ahead next week? Staff at immigration offices have threatened strike action over the government’s new migrant regularisation plan, raising fears of fresh delays for people waiting to renew TIE cards, submit residency files or complete fingerprint appointments. For many already stuck in a slow system, the timing could not be worse.

The proposed strike could begin on 21 April, just as a major new process opens for undocumented migrants seeking legal status.

For residents already in the queue, it has created fresh uncertainty.

Why immigration staff are threatening to walk out

The dispute follows government approval of an extraordinary regularisation scheme aimed at people living in Spain without legal papers.

Ministers say the measure is socially fair and economically necessary. Spain has an ageing population and needs more people in work and paying into the system.

But immigration staff say offices are already overloaded and do not have the resources to cope with a large new wave of applications.

Union representatives argue that adding hundreds of thousands of potential files without reinforcing staffing levels risks overwhelming services that are already struggling in many provinces. Their frustration has now turned into a strike warning.

Reports say staff want more personnel, better support and realistic planning before the scheme fully begins.

Why TIE holders are so anxious

For many foreign residents, this is not an abstract political debate. It is about paperwork that affects everyday life.

A delayed TIE renewal can cause stress when travelling. It can create problems proving legal residence. It can complicate work contracts, banking matters or official procedures.

That is why people with appointments next week are nervous.

Many already spent weeks refreshing booking websites or waiting for slots to open. In some areas of Spain, getting an appointment can feel harder than the actual application itself.

If services are disrupted, some applicants fear they may lose their place and face another long wait.

That is especially worrying for those whose documents are close to expiry.

A system already under pressure

Spain’s immigration network has faced growing demand for years.

The country has welcomed millions of foreign residents, workers, students and retirees. At the same time, Brexit paperwork, family reunification requests, visa renewals and residency changes have added extra pressure.

Many applicants already complain about delays, scarce appointments and different waiting times depending on where they live.

The new regularisation programme is likely to bring another surge in demand.

According to reports, some of the workload may be shared with other public services and external bodies. Even so, immigration staff say the main offices still need stronger support. That helps explain why tensions have risen now.

What to do if you have an appointment next week

If you are booked in for a TIE renewal or other immigration procedure, the first rule is simple: do not cancel it yourself.

Unless you receive official notice, assume the appointment still stands.

Keep checking the website where it was booked, along with email or text messages linked to your application.

If you are using a gestor or lawyer, stay in contact in case local guidance changes.

Bring printed copies of confirmations and documents. If systems are slow or there is confusion on the day, having paperwork ready can save time.

It is also wise to arrive early. Even where offices remain open, reduced staffing could mean queues or delays.

Why this matters beyond paperwork

For many people in Spain, immigration appointments are tied to stability.

They represent the right to keep living here, working here, travelling freely and planning the future.

That is why the threat of strike action has caused such a strong reaction among residents who are already inside the system and simply trying to stay compliant.

If unions and the government reach an agreement quickly, disruption may be limited. If they do not, thousands could face another round of waiting, uncertainty and stress.

And for those checking their calendar for next week, one question is now hanging over everything: will my appointment actually happen?

Thousands of British travellers may need to rethink their plans after a Spanish airport confirmed it will close for more than a month, with every scheduled flight suspended during major runway works. Santiago de Compostela Airport, one of the main gateways to Galicia in northern Spain, is due to close from 23 April to 27 May 2026. No aircraft will take off or land during that period, meaning passengers already booked could face cancellations, rerouting or longer journeys.

For many people, the timing could hardly be worse. Spring travel is already busy, Easter demand remains high, and the run into summer has begun.

Why Santiago de Compostela Airport is closing

Spanish airport operator Aena says the temporary shutdown is needed for resurfacing work on the runway.

That means the airport will be completely closed to air traffic while the project is carried out. Commercial flights, private aircraft and regular passenger services will all pause until the work is finished.

Large maintenance projects like this are essential for safety and long term operations, but they can still cause major disruption when an airport has no second runway or spare capacity.

In practical terms, anyone expecting to land in Santiago or depart from the city during those weeks will need another plan.

Why UK travellers are likely to feel it

Santiago de Compostela has regular links with the UK and is popular with several types of traveller.

Some head there for city breaks. Others use it as a starting point for touring Galicia. Many arrive because of the famous Camino de Santiago, with pilgrims finishing the route in the city before flying home.

Carriers operating UK connections can include Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia and British Airways, depending on route and season.

That means a significant number of British passengers may now need to rebook, accept alternative airports or request refunds.

Anyone with travel insurance should also review their cover, especially if hotels, car hire or onward transport were booked separately.

What passengers should do right now

If you are due to travel between 23 April and 27 May, check your booking today rather than waiting.

Airlines usually contact customers directly when routes are changed, but it is always better to log in and review your reservation yourself.

Some passengers may be moved automatically onto another flight. Others may need to choose between a refund, a different date or a nearby airport.

Package holiday customers should also contact their operator, particularly if transfers were included.

The earlier you act, the more options you are likely to have.

Best alternative airports for Galicia

The nearest obvious replacement is A Coruña Airport, around an hour north of Santiago by road. It is often the first alternative for travellers who still want to reach the region quickly.

Another option is Vigo Airport, to the south, also manageable by car or train depending on your itinerary.

For many UK passengers, Porto Airport in Portugal may be the most practical solution. It offers a wide range of direct UK flights and is roughly a two hour drive from Santiago.

That extra travel time may still be easier than cancelling the trip entirely.

Train and coach connections between these cities and Santiago are also available, giving visitors more flexibility.

Why people still want to go

Even with the airport closure, Santiago de Compostela remains one of Spain’s most rewarding destinations.

The city is the capital of Galicia and best known for its cathedral, old town streets and historic role as the end point of the Camino pilgrimage.

Visitors also come for the food. Galicia is famous for seafood, local produce and a more traditional style of Spanish break that feels very different from the crowded resort model.

Spring is especially popular because temperatures are mild and the city is lively without the full summer crowds.

That is why the closure is likely to disappoint so many travellers.

What passengers need to know

Your trip may still happen, but the route could change. Flights to Santiago itself will stop during the closure, so anyone travelling in that window should prepare for adjustments.

Some people will lose time, others may spend more on transfers, and many will need patience.

But Galicia remains open, the city remains there, and with a little flexibility most travellers should still be able to make the journey.

They may just land somewhere else first.