Police and other emergency services are responding to a hostage situation at an Apple Store in Amsterdam, local officials say. Witnesses also say that gunfire was heard.
The incident began at 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday when police were called for a possible robbery at an Apple Store on Leidseplein, a square in the center of the Dutch capital.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately known. Footage on social media showed one person being held at gunpoint behind a window.
A large number of emergency services, including heavily-armed police and the Special Intervention Service (DSI), are at the scene. Buildings in the area were put on lockdown.
“Someone with a firearm is in/near the store,” Amsterdam police said in a brief statement. “Police are at the scene with a lot of (special) units to get the situation under control.”
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Leidse Plein pic.twitter.com/2jYaczmDId
— Erik de Vlieger, Tweep des Vaderlands ⚓️ (@DevliegerErik) February 22, 2022
BREAKING: Hostage situation at an Apple Store in Amsterdam pic.twitter.com/LtIaOxbFXi
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 22, 2022
Personeel op Leidseplein geëvacueerd. Komt oa richting Rijks. Balie-medewerkers vertellen daar dat ze half uur weg moesten blijven bij de ramen. Politie zei te gevaarlijk. Toen wegwezen. pic.twitter.com/3CEc4ZB0TL
— Mascha de Jong (@maschadejong) February 22, 2022
4 more cars in 1min , most be over 30 cars now heading over to the #applestore #leidseplein #amaterdam wtf pic.twitter.com/USRyhR1yhA
— Sébastien Lintz (@SebastienLintz) February 22, 2022
