At least five people have been injured in a stabbing attack near Dam Square in Amsterdam, Dutch police confirmed on Thursday March 27, 2025.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack, but authorities are yet to determine the motive behind the incident.
Dutch police are investigating whether the victims were randomly targeted, as the suspect’s intentions remain unclear at this stage.
Among the injured victims are a 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man, both confirmed to be American nationals.
Other victims include a 26-year-old Polish man, a 73-year-old Belgian woman, and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam.
The attack happened on a nearby street at approximately 3:30 pm (14:30 GMT), leading to an immediate police response.
Authorities quickly cordoned off Dam Square, restricting movement for about two hours before eventually reopening the area to the public.
Emergency responders, including a trauma helicopter, ambulances, and police vans, were deployed to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured victims.
Police initially reported four serious injuries but later updated that five victims were wounded, alongside the injured suspect himself.
City officials, including Mayor Femke Halsema, Chief Prosecutor René de Beukelaer and Police Chief Peter Holla are understood to be at a meeting over today’s incident.
Dam Square was closed off to allow a helicopter to land at the scene and assist the injured.
Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details surrounding the attack and the suspect’s possible motives for the crime.