A mass stabbing rocked Amsterdam, injuring at least five people. The attack struck Sint Nicolaasstraat near the iconic Dam Square at 3:30 p.m. local time. A witness told De Telegraaf an "icy scream" pierced the air, sparking widespread panic, as relayed by The Daily Mail.
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Local media reported a girl and an elderly woman among the victims, though police have not confirmed this. A nearby shop employee shared the terror with local outlets. "It was frightening," the worker said. "Customers saw an elderly woman stabbed in the back. She was with her husband. I saw her lying on the ground. It was grim."
Photos captured a victim being loaded into an ambulance. Live footage revealed a crowd swarming a cordoned-off zone near the Royal Palace. Emergency response roared in with a trauma helicopter, ambulances, and police vans. The cordon has since lifted.
Reports counted 14 police cars and a motorcycle officer at the scene. A fire engine, siren blaring, joined the chaos at Dam Square. Video from a local journalist showed ambulances weaving through the throng, rushing victims away.
Stabbing Suspect Arrested
Police arrested the suspect, described by Dutch papers as a hooded man. "A motive remains unclear," authorities stated. "It's part of our investigation." Earlier, a police spokesperson mentioned a robbery report tied to the incident.
The Amsterdam police posted on X: "We're at Sint Nicolaasstraat near the Dam after a stabbing with injuries. A cordon is up, including on the Dam. More details to come." They urged people to steer clear and give emergency crews room to operate. Witnesses with footage are asked to aid the investigation.
Trams screeched to a halt. No service runs between Amsterdam Centraal and Dam Square, nor between Dam Square and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, per a GVB transport spokesperson. Shops in the area locked down, allowing only exits.
Mayor Femke Halsema left a council meeting mid-session after learning of the attack. She now huddles with Chief Prosecutor René de Beukelaer and Police Chief Peter Holla to address the violence. The incident, unfolding on March 27, 2025, disrupts the city as authorities scramble for answers.
