NEW YORK, Nov 30: A man believed to be armed with a bomb took over a campaign office of Democratic Party presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton in north-eastern New Hampshire, US police said on Friday.

National party chairman Howard Dean confirmed the hostage situation in the state, but said the former first lady was not among them.

“The city of Rochester police department is investigating a subject that has walked into the campaign headquarters of Hillary Clinton and is alleged to have an explosive device on his person,” state police major Michael Hambrook said.

“Our understanding from Rochester is that the subject released a couple of people, but that there may be other people inside the building,” he said.

He added that a bomb disposal team had been deployed to the scene.

Mr Dean said Hillary Clinton was dealing with the situation and “she is not going to be able to join us today” at the party's autumn meeting, held just over a month before the first nominating contest in Iowa.

It was initially unclear how many people were being held, or what the man's motive might be.—AFP