ANKARA - An armed man took staff hostage at a Procter & Gamble (P&G) factory in north-western Turkey on Feb 1 in an apparent protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, the Demiroren News Agency reported.

The unidentified man entered the factory in Gebze industrial zone in Kocaeli province around 3pm (8pm Singapore time), Demiroren said, adding that police rushed to the scene and were trying to persuade him to give himself up.

Seven people were believed to have been taken hostage - six men and one woman - Demiroren said, adding that there was a second unidentified hostage-taker.

The Kocaeli governor arrived at the scene and was briefed by police, it added. Turkish authorities have not issued any statement on the incident.

A photo released by local media showed a man inside the factory whose face was covered with a Palestinian scarf and who was wearing what looked possibly like an explosive device.

Another photo from the scene showed the man holding a gun in one hand and making a V sign with his other hand in front of a wall on which Turkish and Palestinian flags were painted with a script that reads: "Gates will open. Either coffin rest or death for Gaza." REUTERS