An armed man is said to have taken one or more people hostage at an Apple store in Amsterdam.
Dutch police confirmed on Tuesday that they had sent special units to a central square in the city after receiving reports of a hostage situation.
Video clips from broadcaster AT5 appeared to show a person being held in the store at gunpoint.
Amsterdam police tweeted: "There is a person with a firearm in the store ... police forces are there with many units and specialist units at the scene to get the situation under control."
"We are restricting information about the situation in the Apple Store ... in order not to upset our investigation and efforts there," the force said.
It is unknown how many people are in the store although reports have confirmed that several people have been allowed to leave the shop.
Dutch police said they did not want to elaborate on the situation but urged the public to stay away from the scene.
It said: "Since the start of the hostage situation in the Apple Store on Leidseplein, several people have been able to leave the building. We do not want to share any information about the situation in and around the building at the moment."
Police have cleared the square and asked neighbours to remain inside.
In a separate tweet, it said: "Regarding the safety of the people involved in the hostage situation at the Apple Store at Leidseplein, we would like to ask all public to stay away from the site so the police can focus on dealing with the situation."
The Apple store is believed to be located on the upscale Leidseplein square on the south side of Amsterdam's centre.
Images have been circulating on social media which show a man in camouflage pants and a black hoodie holding what appears to be a gun.
Another man believed to be the hostage can also be seen in the images.
