In the incident, which began around midday local time, police teams quickly surrounded the bank branch.
After about two hours of negotiations, the hostages were released, but no trace of the robbers could be found.
Hostages rescued in shock
Images shared on social media showed firefighters using a battering ram to break the bank's windows and evacuate people inside.
Some rescued people were seen throwing away the broken glass and walking away, while others hugged their relatives in tears. Six people who were in shock received medical treatment.
An eyewitness told local media that the robbers locked themselves in a room and did not use physical violence, although they were armed.
Regional official Michele di Bari confirmed that thanks to the rapid response, all hostages were rescued without serious injuries.
Special forces arrived, but the robbers managed to escape
As the incident escalated, special units from the Italian Gendarmerie Carabinieri from Tuscany were deployed to the region.
In the incident, which was watched by thousands of people via live broadcast, special forces carried out an operation against the bank accompanied by sound bombs and gunfire.
However, when they entered, it turned out that the robbers had already fled. According to local media, the attackers entered the sewer system through a previously prepared tunnel inside the bank and disappeared.
The footage showed gendarmerie and firefighters looking down from a manhole cover near the bank.
No clear figure could yet be given about the financial dimension of the robbery. Robbers were reported to target and empty personal lockers that contained valuable items rather than cash in the bank, which was more difficult to trace.
Police launched a large-scale search along the sewer line.
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