Четверо озброєних чоловіків, які захопили понад тридцять осіб у банку у Венесуелі, здалися поліції. Вони втекли у кареті швидкої допомоги, але згодом були зупинені та оточені поліцейськими на автостраді. Репортаж Джеймза Інґгема:

Послухати репортаж

It was a tense standoff that lasted more than twenty four hours - this quiet farming town suddenly at the centre of what many described simply as a nightmare. It began when four gunmen entered the bank intending to make a quick getaway. When they spotted a police patrol, they panicked and so began the siege - more than thirty people held hostage.

As the hold-up continued, some managed to make calls and send texts to friends and relatives. Others stuck hastily written notes in the windows pleading for help. The gunmen were demanding money and a guaranteed escape.

At first authorities refused but finally a deal was struck and the robbers fled the building in an ambulance, taking with them five hostages. The others were then able to leave. They emerged looking emotional, clearly relieved to be free.

But the drama was not yet over. Police had promised the gunmen that they wouldn't be followed but several hours later they were stopped on a highway and surrounded. The men released their remaining captives, threw down their weapons and surrendered; a tense ordeal ending without a shot.

James Ingham, BBC News, Caracas

Послухати слова

tense standoff
напружене протистояння (за якого жодна зі сторін не бажає змінити позицію чи піти на компроміс)

the siege
облога

hostage
закладник

hold-up
коли хтось застосовує силу, аби щось вкрасти

a deal was struck and the robbers fled
було укладено оборудку, і крадії втекли

emerged looking emotional
вийшли (з приміщення банку), виглядаючи емоційно

they wouldn't be followed
їх не переслідуватимуть (wouldn't, а не won't, використано для узгодження граматичних часів)

surrounded
оточені

captives
бранці, закладники

ordeal
дуже складна, неприємна, а часом і болісна ситуація (дослівно - суд божий)