‘Hostage situation’ at Melbourne apartment deemed to be false alarm

Police have said a report of a hostage situation at a Melbourne apartment building was a false alarm.

Emergency services were called to the Triple Zero reports of a siege at the Brighton Road, Ripponlea, address just after 2pm.

Investigators negotiated with a lone woman inside, and determined there was no hostage threat.

The 32-year-old woman has now been taken to hospital where she will be assessed, police said in a statement.

“At no stage was there any risk or danger to the public,” police said.

It was initially believed a person was holding two people hostage inside the apartment. 

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