Masked gunmen reportedly robbed up to 800,000 euros after they stormed an international poker tournament in Berlin on Saturday.

According to German police and media reports, the "European Poker Tournament" (EPT) was supposed to end on Sunday. However, the armed gang held up employees and participants at the upmarket Grand Hyatt hotel, which is based in a central city square.

[Carsten Mueller, Berlin Police Spokesman]:

"We currently believe there were four armed perpetrators who robbed a poker tournament here around 2:15 pm (1315 GMT)."

Mueller says there were only a few light casualties, mainly amongst participants. The injuries were sustained after some competitors experienced a brief moment of panic.

One tournament participant explains just how the panic started.

[Tobias Reinkemeier, Tournament Participant]:

“A panic broke out because they screamed 'armed robbery!' Everyone jumped underneath tables before they tried to escape through the emergency exit. But in the end, nothing happened and no one was injured. Some people remained seated though, but I think that was only a few.”