A TERRIFYING hostage situation is unfolding in the Netherlands after a man armed with weapons and explosives stormed a bar and threatened to blow it up.
Three hostages have been released, but police warn “the situation is not over yet”.
EPAA hostage situation is underway in the centre of Ede[/caption]
EPALarge screens have reportedly been set up around the ‘catering facility’ at the bar[/caption]
EPAPolice are deployed in the centre of Ede in the Netherlands[/caption]
The three released hostages were reportedly young and visibly emotional.
Several special police units were deployed to a building in the centre of the eastern Dutch town of Ede early this morning, police confirmed on social media.
Some 150 homes were evacuated as members of the public were asked to steer clear of the area.
The hostages are being held at a local bar named Café Petticoat, according to national newspaper de Telegraaf, which cited the owner of the bar and several anonymous sources.
A man allegedly entered the business at closing time, armed with weapons and explosives, and threatened to blow the place up.
Gelderland police said on Saturday morning that “there is no indication” the hostage-taker has any “terrorist motive”, adding that the hostage situation involves “several people”.
A police spokesperson told de Telegraaf that officers assume there is only one hostage-taker, but would not speak about whether they had contact with the person.
They also refused to comment on the supposed explosives, as doing so “could be to the detriment of safety”.
There are no trains running between Barneveld-Zuid and Ede-Wageningen due to the deployment of the police, which includes specialised teams, a mobile unit, and a negotiator.
An event for people aged 16 and older took place at Café Petticoat on Friday evening and was over by 4am, De Telegraaf reports.
Police reportedly received word of a hostage situation about 6am, after which a massive turnout of offices, ambulances, and fire services arrived on-scene.
Gelderland police wrote on X this morning: “Due to an ongoing police incident, the police requests to stay away from the centre of Ede.
“Stay inside and don’t come and watch.”
Large screens have reportedly been set up around the “catering facility” at the site, which had already officially closed by the time police were called.
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EPAPolice and emergency services respond to reports of a hostage situation[/caption]