A hostage situation in a nightclub in the eastern Dutch town of Ede had continued into Saturday, and at the time of filing this report at 12:30pm (GMT +1), three people have been released. This was according to a statement by the police on Saturday morning .
Media reports had said that in the early hours of Saturday, March 30, a gunman had taken several people hostage and had threatened to detonate a bomb.
It is still unclear how many people were still being held up after three employees were released. Those liberated employees had been seen by reporters fleeing the area with their hands above their heads.
Police officials have said that the hostage situation had not been indicative of a terrorist plan.
150 homes close to the scene of the incident have been evacuated and the public have been warned warned to stay away from the area. Meanwhile, several special police units were deployed to the scene, a building in the centre of town.
The country’s national newspaper: de Telegraaf had reported that people were being held at the Petticoat nightclub by a man armed with weapons and explosives. They had cited several anonymous sources.
A reporter for broadcaster NOS had said that a remote controlled robot was at the scene as well as anti-explosives units and police in protective gear in case the situation took an unpredicted turn.
A railway operator, NS had announced on its website that trains to and from Ede have been cancelled.
More updates to come…
