In a dramatic turn of events, seven workers held captive at a Proctor & Gamble (P&G) plant outside Istanbul have been successfully rescued after a nine-hour ordeal, according to local officials. Turkish police intervened and rescued the hostages from the factory in Gebza when the suspect took a bathroom break. The hostages were released unharmed and did not suffer any injuries, as confirmed by local governor Seddar Yavuz.

The incident unfolded when the suspect entered the plant around 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT) and began the hostage situation. The motives behind this act of aggression were revealed as the suspect sought to draw attention to the ongoing situation in Gaza. A Palestinian flag was found painted at the entrance of the building, accompanied by a sign stating, "doors will be open for Gaza."

Upon notification of the incident, police officers quickly cordoned off access to the factory premises, while medical staff were dispatched to the scene to ensure the safety of all involved parties. The rescue operation was described as "meticulous" by Governor Yavuz, and the suspect was detained unharmed.

Relatives of the hostages anxiously gathered at a police cordon located some distance from the plant throughout the standoff. İsmet Zihni, whose wife worked at the plant, received a distressing message from her informing him of her captivity. Frustrations began to mount among the relatives due to the lack of information being provided by Turkish officials or the police. One hostage's father expressed his frustration by stating, "We have been waiting for six hours without any official making a statement," as reported by AFP.

Proctor & Gamble released a statement expressing their relief that no harm came to anyone involved in the incident. They acknowledged the ongoing investigation being conducted by officials into the matter. The company's main concern remains the well-being of their employees and their commitment to ensuring their safety in the workplace.

As this alarming incident unraveled at the P&G plant in Turkey, the successful rescue operation showcased the professionalism and efficiency of Turkish law enforcement. The ordeal has shed light on the need for enhanced security measures at industrial facilities to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Authorities continue their investigation into the matter to uncover any further details surrounding this captivity incident.