Abstract: The gas detection apparatus comprises a holder for the temporary fixation of an associated package and which contains a contact surface. A hollow needle having a tip serves to penetrate a portion of the package which is freely exposed at the region of the contact surface. This hollow needle comprises at least two channels. An element serves for the essentially gas-tight connection of the hollow needle tip with the contact surface or the part of the package freely exposed therein. A component is connected by a connection line with one channel of the hollow needle. A suitable membrane-enclosed sensor, such as an amperometric sensor defining a sensor surface formed by a semi-permeable membrane, is preferably suspendingly arranged in the compartment. A preferably closable flushing or purging gas line communicates with the connection line and allows flushing the compartment, the connection line and the one channel.