Mass Stabbing Attack in Amsterdam

A mass stabbing in Amsterdam has left at least five people wounded.

The knifing took place on Sint Nicolaasstraat, near the city's iconic Dam Square, at around 3.30pm local time (2.30pm UK time). A witness told a reporter for De Telegraaf they 'suddenly [heard] an icy scream', after which panic broke out.

Local media has reported that a girl and an elderly woman were stabbed in the attack, but this has not been confirmed by police. One employee of a nearby shop told local media: '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.'

Photos taken at the scene showed one person being loaded into an ambulance.

Live footage of the historic square showed a mass crowd gathering around a cordoned off area in front of the Royal Palace, with a trauma helicopter, ambulances and police vans in attendance. The square has since had its cordon lifted.

Local media reported at least 14 cop cars and an officer on a motorcycle were at the scene. It was also reported that a fire engine had arrived at Dam Square, with its siren on.

Footage taken by a local journalist showed ambulances arriving and leaving Dam Square, pushing their way through the gathered crowd.

Police have said that the suspect, described by Dutch newspapers as a man in a hood, has been arrested. They added: 'A motive is still unclear, but is part of our investigation.'

A police spokesperson told local media earlier that authorities had received reports of a robbery.

'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,' the city's police department earlier said on X.

They have asked people to avoid the area, and for those already there to give emergency services the space to work.

Anyone with camera footage of the attack has also been urged to come forward to police to assist the investigation.

Trams in the surrounding area have grinded to a halt, with no service between Amsterdam Centraal and Dam Square due to the stabbing incident.

Service has also stopped between Dam Square station and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, says a spokesperson for Amsterdam's GVB public transport company.

Shops across the area have also been closed down, with people only allowed to leave them.

The city's mayor, Femke Halsema, was in a council meeting during the stabbing, and was called away upon being told about it.

She is currently meeting with the city's chief prosecutor, René de Beukelaer, and police chief, Peter Holla, to discuss the knife attack.