Amsterdam mass stabbing leaves 5 injured as witnesses hear ‘icy scream’ and ‘fear terror’ | World | News
Five people were injured after a mass stabbing in Amsterdam and authorities have said a suspect was arrested. The condition of those attacked is unknown and the motive for the attack is yet to be established.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, a police cordon was erected on Sint Nicolaasstraat and in the Dam square, in the centre of the city. The outlet reported that the incident took place around 3:30pm local time and that 14 police cars and an officer on a motorcycle arrived on the scene approximately 15 minutes later.
A witness in the area told De Telegraaf that “suddenly an icy scream could be heard” as the incident unfolded. Marcel Vink, a reporter on the scene, posted on X: “A young woman says that suddenly people started running, and there was fear of a terrorist attack”.
He added that the woman expressed fears that terror incidents in Germany were spreading to the Netherlands, referencing “cars driving into crowds of people”.
Police confirmed that two US nationals, a Polish national, a Belgian national and a Dutch national were injured.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema was reportedly called away from a council meeting early, in the aftermath of the attack.
Local police said in a statement: “On Thursday afternoon, March 27th, five people were injured in a stabbing incident near the Sint Nicolaasstraat in the city center of Amsterdam. Police have arrested a male suspect. His identity is currently being investigated.
“Just before 3:30 PM, emergency services received several reports of a stabbing incident. Officers quickly arrived on the scene and found five injured individuals at various locations in and around the Sint Nicolaasstraat. Multiple ambulances and a Mobile Medical Team responded. Large parts of Dam Square were cordoned off to allow emergency services to assist and conduct investigations.
“Among the victims are a 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man, both American nationals; a 26-year-old man from Poland; a 73-year-old woman from Belgium; and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam.
“With the help of bystanders, officers apprehended a suspect in the Gravenstraat shortly after the incident. The suspect also sustained an injury to his leg and was transported to the hospital. The motive behind the attack is currently unclear and under investigation. Police are considering the possibility that the suspect may have randomly targeted victims, but the exact motive remains unknown.”
Mayor Halsema said in a statement: “The police investigation is in full swing and is currently the highest priority. We hope to gain clarity soon about the background of this horrific stabbing incident. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and loved ones.”
