Hospital: Turkish policeman tries to kill self, causes panic

ISTANBUL — An armed police officer receiving psychiatric treatment caused panic Wednesday when he barricaded himself into a room at an Istanbul hospital and attempted to commit suicide.

Earlier, Turkish media reports said the man had taken doctors and other staff hostage at Istanbul’s Cerrahpasa hospital.

But Zekayi Kutlubay, the hospital’s chief physician, said the police officer was alone in the room and did not hold anyone hostage. He said police were trying to convince him not to kill himself.

“He is alone in the room,” Kutlubay told reporters outside of the hospital earlier. “There is no hostage crisis.”