Police in Hamburg have said they are dealing with a hostage situation after the car broke through a barrier onto the site.

They would not confirm earlier statements that the man was armed and had fired twice into the air with a weapon.

He was also said to have thrown burning bottles out of the vehicle.

Footage from the site showed emergency services dealing with two small fires.

The vehicle with the 35-year-old and four-year-old child was currently parked under a plane, police said, and a large number of officers were at the scene.

No one is understood to be injured, but the facility remains closed with flights suspended.

Passengers have been urged not to travel to the airport.

Hamburg police posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter: "The car is still on the apron of Hamburg airport. We are currently assuming a custody dispute is the background to the operation.

"Our negotiators are in contact with the person in the car."

Thy had earlier said there was a "major police operation" at the airport "with a large contingent of emergency services".

"We are currently assuming a static hostage situation."

Police said the man's wife had previously contacted them about a possible child abduction.

A spokesperson for the airport said at least 27 flights had been affected.