UPDATE - Cologne: German police talking with hostage taker

UPDATES WITH COMMENTS BY POLICE SPOKESMAN, EDITS THROUGHOUT; NEW HEADLINE, DECK

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German police Monday afternoon closed off a large area around Cologne Central Station after a man took a woman hostage at a pharmacy.

Police spokesman Christoph Gilles told reporters that negotiator teams were talking with the hostage taker.

Authorities urged the public to stay away from Breslauer Square as special police forces were also sent to the area.

The train station was completely closed as a precaution.

It was not immediately clear whether the incident was terror-related.

The police did not confirm initial reports that shots were fired inside the railway station.

Anadolu Agency will update this developing story.