At least five people have been wounded in a stabbing near Amsterdam's central Dam square, police have said.
The knifeman struck on Sint Nicolaasstraat, near the city's iconic Dam Square, just after 3.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT).
One witness told local media outlet De Telegraaf they suddenly heard an “icy scream” before panic broke out.
A shop worker added there was a lot of shouting and screaming as people were seen running on the streets.
A girl was attacked and an elderly woman stabbed in the back, according to local media reports not confirmed by police.
Live footage of the historic landmark shows a mass crowd gathering around a cordoned off area in front of the Royal Palace.
A trauma helicopter, ambulances and about 14 police cars and vans are in attendance.
A suspect has been arrested, authorities said.
They added: “A motive is still unclear, but is part of our investigation.”
AMSTERDAM STABBING INCIDENT: Multiple people have been injured in a stabbing attack at Sint Nicolaasstraat in central Amsterdam, with a large portion of Dam Square cordoned off by authorities. The incident occurred around 15:20 local time. The motive of the perpetrator and a… pic.twitter.com/UHn4zr9xzB
— The Risk Intelligence Group (@riskintelgroup) March 27, 2025
A police spokesperson told local media earlier that authorities had received reports of a robbery.
The city force said on X, formerly Twitter: “We are present at the Sint Nicolaasstraat near the Dam after a report of a stabbing incident with injuries.
“There is therefore a cordon, also on the Dam. More information will follow.”
One employee of a nearby shop said: “It was very frightening.
“Customers saw an elderly woman being stabbed in the back. She was with her husband. I only saw it when the woman was lying on the ground. It was very grim.”
Trams in the surrounding area have grinded to a halt, with no service between Amsterdam Central and Dam Square.
A meeting at Amsterdam’s Stopera building was interrupted and mayor Femke Halsema was pulled out of a council meeting when news of the attack broke.
