Several people have been taken hostage by a man who is reportedly armed with weapons and explosives in a nightclub in the Netherlands.
Heavily-armed police have cordoned off part of the town of Ede and urged people to “stay away” from the area, adding: “Stay inside and don’t come and watch”.
Around 150 nearby homes have been evacuated while authorities deal with “a hostage situation involving several people,” police said on X.
Officers say three hostages who were being held in Cafe Petticoat, a popular bar and nightclub, have been released, but added the “situation is not over”.
Local reports said the freed hostages were employees of the nightclub and were seen fleeing the building with their hands above their heads.
Pic: AP
Earlier, as nearby homes were evacuated, police said there was a person in the area “who could be a danger to themselves or others”.
National newspaper de Telegraaf reported the man who took people hostage was armed with weapons and explosives, citing several anonymous sources.
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Police spokesperson Simon Klok told the Associated Press people were being held hostage in Ede but declined to give more details about the incident or say how many people were involved.
There is no indication the hostage situation is terror related, police said in a statement on X.
Firefighters in Ede. Pic: AP
Images from the rural market town in the eastern Netherlands, which is 53 miles (85km) from Amsterdam, showed police officers and firefighters on the streets in the cordoned-off area.
The municipality said that all shops in the centre of Ede would remain closed.
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