Amsterdam’s Dark Afternoon! Five Stabbed in Brutal Attack, Suspect Nabbed

Chaos erupted on a bustling shopping street near Dam Square late Thursday afternoon, March 27, when a knife-wielding assailant seriously wounded five people in a shocking stabbing spree.

Dutch police swiftly took the suspect into custody after a courageous bystander intervened, injuring the attacker in the process. The motive behind the violent outburst remains a mystery as investigations unfold.

“The suspect was detained with the help of a civilian,” said police spokesperson Eline Roovers, highlighting the pivotal role of the passerby. Emergency response was immediate—ambulances flooded the scene, and a trauma helicopter touched down on the iconic square, only to depart later.

The area was cordoned off, disrupting a city council meeting attended by Mayor Femke Halsema.

This incident adds to Amsterdam’s recent struggles with knife attacks, some linked to mental health crises last year. In response, the city launched a hotline in February 2025 for residents to report erratic behavior, spurred by a prior fatal stabbing involving neighbors.

As police dig deeper, the city holds its breath, grappling with the lingering question: what drove this daylight horror? The investigation continues, with authorities urging witnesses to come forward.