IN BRIEF:
❓What Happened: A mass stabbing incident occurred, injuring at least five people.
👥 Who’s Involved: Authorities have apprehended a suspect. Police, emergency services, and a trauma helicopter attended the scene.
📍 Where & When: Sint Nicolaasstraat near Dam Square, Amsterdam, just after 3:30 PM local time on March 27, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: A witness reported hearing an “icy scream,” which led to widespread panic.
⚠️ Impact: Affected tram services between Amsterdam Centraal and Dam Square, and a section of the city was cordoned off.
IN FULL:
A mass stabbing incident on Sint Nicolaasstraat near Amsterdam’s Dam Square resulted in injuries to at least five individuals on Thursday. Local authorities confirmed that a suspect is in custody, although no motive has been identified at this stage.
The attack transpired shortly after 3:30 PM local time. An individual described by witnesses emitted an alarming scream, coinciding with the onset of panic in the busy area. Responding to the chaos, police swiftly cordoned off sections of the vicinity. Live footage captured a crowd congregating around the sealed-off area, with emergency vehicles, including a trauma helicopter, duly stationed.
Here we go again.
Someone just stabbed 5 people on the Dam Square – Amsterdam’s main square.
According to eyewitnesses an elderly woman and a young girl were stabbed in the back. A trauma helicopter was flown in to take care of the victims.
The knifeman has been arrested, but… pic.twitter.com/QW3i0HGW7F
— Eva Vlaardingerbroek (@EvaVlaar) March 27, 2025
Local broadcast coverage from De Telegraaf cited the involvement of 14 police vehicles and an officer aboard a motorcycle. Police state they were able to apprehend the suspect, though they have yet to announce a motive and stress the attack remains an ongoing investigation.
A police spokesman indicated there had been prior reports regarding a robbery in the area, though it is not yet confirmed what that incident was connected to the stabbings. “We are present at the Sint Nicolaasstraat near the Dam following a report of a stabbing incident with injuries. There is, therefore, a cordon, also on the Dam. More information will follow,” the spokesman said in an update on social media. Authorities have not yet disclosed the conditions of those injured.
The city’s public transport services faced disruptions as tram operations were halted between Amsterdam Centraal and Dam Square, adding to the incident’s impact on local mobility. Regular services between Dam Square station and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal were similarly affected, as confirmed by the GVB, Amsterdam’s public transport company.
Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, learned of the stabbing while engaged in a council meeting and subsequently redirected attention to the ongoing situation.