Five individuals sustained injuries in a stabbing incident near the iconic Dam Square in Amsterdam, according to police reports. The victims include two American nationals, a Polish man, a Belgian woman, and a Dutch woman, ranging in age from 19 to 73.
Details of the incident
The male suspect, who has been apprehended, was subdued with assistance from bystanders and subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment of a leg injury. Authorities have stated that the motive for the attack is currently under investigation, yet they are exploring the possibility that the assailant randomly selected his victims.
Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema commented on the situation, stating that a police investigation is “in full swing,” and officials are hopeful for a swift resolution that will shed light on the event. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and loved ones,” she expressed.
Witness accounts and police response
The injured include a 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man, both from the United States; a 26-year-old man from Poland; a 73-year-old woman from Belgium; and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam. Emergency services received multiple reports of the stabbing at approximately 15:30 local time (14:30 GMT) and promptly dispatched officers to the scene.
Upon arrival, police discovered five injured individuals scattered across various locations around Sint Nicolaasstraat, a central area of the city. With the aid of bystanders, authorities were able to detain the suspect shortly after the incident, leading to a large area surrounding the Royal Palace in Dam Square being cordoned off. An emergency helicopter was also dispatched to the scene for medical assistance.
The square, a popular tourist destination located in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic district, quickly became a scene of chaos. One witness recounted hearing an “icy scream” that triggered panic amongst those nearby. A shop assistant reported hearing a cacophony of shouts and screams as people began to flee the area.
Another witness, as reported by Amsterdam outlet Het Parool, described approaching a girl who appeared injured; he noted seeing a knife “sticking out from the girl’s back, between her shoulders.” Authorities are encouraging anyone with photographic evidence or information related to the incident to come forward.
Initially, reports indicated that four individuals were injured, but subsequent updates confirmed that five people had been wounded along with the suspect.