Four released from hostages in the Netherlands
Josefine Karlsson
Updated 14.02 | Published 09.53
The hostage drama in the Netherlands is over.
After seven hours, four people were released and the suspect gave up and came out into the street.
The center is still cordoned off and police are searching for explosives.
Quick version
The police still have an ongoing operation in the Dutch Ede but all the hostages have been released and the suspect arrested. Police were called to Museumplein in the city center at 6am on Saturday and said they were dealing with an incident where a person could potentially be a danger to themselves or others.
At 10.30 the police confirmed that they were dealing with a hostage drama. The task force with heavily armed police and several special units within the police as well as a negotiator was alerted to the scene. 150 homes and shops were evacuated and parts of the center were cordoned off.
"A hostage situation involving several people is now underway in a building in the city center," the police write on X.
Supposed to have had weapons and explosives
According to information given to De Gelderlander and De Telegraaf a man allegedly entered the popular night club Petticoat at closing time on Saturday night. According to sources for De Telegraaf, he allegedly had weapons and explosives.
Shortly afterwards, three young people were seen leaving the premises and were met by police who took them to safety. The police wrote on X that three people have been released but that the situation is "not over yet".
According to the public service company NOS, a person in an orange jacket later left the premises and was taken care of by the police.
At 12.30 a suspect was arrested. De Gelderlander has published a film showing when a man came out into the street with his hands in the air. He had beige pants, a light gray t-shirt and a black robber's cap. The man removed his jacket or shirt while officers pointed their guns at him and ordered him to his knees before being arrested and led away in handcuffs to a police car.
“The last hostage has just been released. One person has been arrested. We cannot provide any more information at this time," the police write on X.
In the afternoon, the police and prosecutors held a press conference and announced that it had been an intense morning and that they are satisfied with
Here a man is being led into the police car.
1 / 2Photo: AP
Popular club among young people
The exhibition is often visited by young people. The club is said to have had an event during the Friday evening and the club was supposed to close at 04. The owner confirms to De Telegraaf that employees were among those taken hostage but is otherwise tight-lipped.
- We received the first alarm at 6.30 and I cannot say much about what exactly the alarm contained then. I hope there is understanding that we cannot say everything right now. It is our biggest priority to end this as safely as possible, says police spokesperson Simon Klok, to AP.
The public was advised to stay away from the centre.
"Stay indoors and don't come here to look," the police wrote on X.
Training in Ede, the Netherlands. Photo: AP
Unknown motive
150 homes in central Ede are evacuated, streets have been blocked off and shops have been evacuated.
Just over 100,000 people live in the municipality of Ede, which is located in the province of Gelderland, barely eight miles outside of Amsterdam.
Trains between Barneveld-Zuid and Ede-Wageningen were canceled due to the police action.
It is still unknown what the motive for the hostage drama is, but according to the police, there is currently nothing to indicate a terrorist motive.
Emergency services on site. Photo: Aleksandar Furtula/AP
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