2025 Amsterdam stabbing attack

{{Infobox civilian attack

| location = Sint Nicolaasstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands

| date = 27 March 2025

| time = {{circa}} 15:19

| timezone = CET

| type = Mass stabbing

| weapons = Knives

| fatalities = 0

| injuries = 6 (including perpetrator)

| accused = Roman D. (30-year-old Ukrainian citizen from Donetsk)

| motive = Under investigation (possible terrorism{{Cite news|date=2025-04-01 |title=Terrorism formally suspected in Amsterdam stabbing attack that left five wounded |url=https://nltimes.nl/2025/04/01/terrorism-formally-suspected-amsterdam-stabbing-attack-left-five-wounded |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=NLtimes|language=en}})

}}

On 27 March 2025, a stabbing attack took place in the Sint Nicolaasstraat area in the vicinity of Dam Square in central Amsterdam, Netherlands, resulting in at least five injuries.{{Cite news|date=2025-03-27 |title=Amsterdam stabbing: Several people wounded after knife attack near Dam square |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/crime/amsterdam-stabbing-victim-suspect-dam-square-b2722733.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=The Independent|language=en}}{{Cite news |date=27 March 2025 |title=At least 5 people wounded in stabbing near Amsterdam's Dam square, suspect arrested |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/several-people-wounded-stabbing-near-amsterdams-dam-square-2025-03-27/ |access-date=27 March 2025|work=Reuters}}

Stabbing

The attack occurred shortly before 15:20 local time{{Cite web |last1=Quekel |first1=Sebastiaan |last2=Boere |first2=Raymond |date=29 March 2025 |title='Bescheiden' Britse held wist meteen dat het fout zat in Amsterdam: 'Hier gebeurt iets ergs' |url=https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/bescheiden-britse-held-wist-meteen-dat-het-fout-zat-in-amsterdam-hier-gebeurt-iets-ergs~aeb9ccbb0/?referrer=https://www.google.com/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Algemeen Dagblad}} in the Sint Nicolaasstraat near Dam Square, one of Amsterdam's main tourist attractions. Initial reports received by police characterized the event as a potential robbery. Witnesses in the area described hearing "piercing screams" followed by momentary confusion among pedestrians and visitors. Several bystanders observed people rushing toward the scene where the attack occurred, while others fled from the area in panic. Police were called at around 15:30.{{Cite news|date=2025-03-27 |title=Steekpartij met vijf gewonden in centrum Amsterdam, verdachte opgepakt|newspaper=De Telegraaf|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/637687228/live-steekpartij-met-vijf-gewonden-in-centrum-amsterdam-verdachte-opgepakt|access-date=2025-03-27|publisher=Mediahuis|language=nl}}

The victims are a 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man with American nationality, a 26-year-old man with Polish nationality, a 73-year-old Belgian woman and a 19-year-old local Dutch woman from Amsterdam.{{Cite web|url= https://www.hln.be/buitenland/belgische-vrouw-73-bij-gewonden-van-steekpartij-in-amsterdam-slachtoffers-lijken-willekeurig-gekozen~ae01bae5/ |title= Belgische vrouw (73) bij gewonden van steekpartij in Amsterdam, slachtoffers lijken willekeurig gekozen |website=HLN}}

The attacker fled the scene over Gravenstraat. On Nieuwendijk, the suspect was stopped and held down by a bystander. Video documentation of the incident revealed a man, later identified as a British tourist, restraining the suspect by applying pressure to his back while controlling his arm until police personnel arrived at the scene.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=British man praised for tackling Amsterdam knife attack suspect |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz030jm2z5zo |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}} Several other bystanders physically confronted the suspect, with one witness describing that "some guy kicked him and broke his ankle" when he attempted to flee. The same witness indicated that the suspect may have sustained facial injuries during the citizen's intervention. The tourist who managed to citizen's arrest the suspect has been given a hero's badge by Mayor Femke Halsema.{{Cite web|url= https://www.zeelandnet.nl/nieuws/brit-die-verdachte-steekpartij-overmeesterde-krijgt-heldenspeld |title= Brit die verdachte steekpartij overmeesterde krijgt heldenspeld |website=Zeelandnet}} The mayor stated that the British citizen preferred to remain anonymous, characterizing him as "very modest" with no desire for public recognition.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Man die Damsteker overmeesterde krijgt beloning voor heldendaad |url=https://www.hartvannederland.nl/112/crime/artikelen/britse-toerist-heldenspeld-amsterdam-steekpartij-dam-overmeestert-verdachte |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Hart van Nederland |language=nl}}

Response

Amsterdam police mobilized significant resources following notification of the attack. The emergency response included approximately 14 police vehicles, motorcycle units, multiple ambulances, and a medical helicopter that landed directly on Dam Square. Authorities established extensive cordons across both Sint Nicolaasstraat and throughout Dam Square itself. During the immediate aftermath, law enforcement requested the public to avoid the vicinity to facilitate emergency operations and investigation procedures.

Arrest of suspect

A suspect was arrested by police. Police appealed for bystanders to send them video or photos of the attack.{{Cite news|title=Several people wounded in Amsterdam stabbing, police say |url=https://news.sky.com/story/several-people-wounded-in-amsterdam-stabbing-police-say-13336754 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Sky News|language=en}} The suspect was later identified as a 30-year old Ukrainian citizen from Donetsk referred to as "Roman D.".{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=What is known about the Amsterdam attacker? - explainer |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-848060 |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}} Police stated that they had difficulty verifying his identity as he carried several identity cards with different names, and refused to cooperate with law enforcement regarding his identity.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=Verdachte steekpartij Dam is 30-jarige Oekraïner |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2561530-verdachte-steekpartij-dam-is-30-jarige-oekrainer |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=nos.nl |language=nl}}

Prior to the attack, Roman D. was reportedly staying at the Delta Hotel located on the Damrak, approximately several hundred meters from where the stabbings occurred. Investigations determined that he had equipped himself with multiple knives, suggesting premeditation. Initial investigations suggested the victims were selected randomly, with no apparent targeted motivation. According to witness accounts provided to media outlets, the suspect attempted to flee the scene following the stabbings but was prevented from escaping by bystanders.

Following his arrest, he was transported to receive medical treatment for leg injuries sustained during his apprehension. As of 29 March, he was detained in the medical section of a correctional facility in Scheveningen. A court date was set for 1 April 2025 regarding his future in detention, and is being investigated by Dutch police on acts of terrorism.https://nltimes.nl/2025/04/01/terrorism-formally-suspected-amsterdam-stabbing-attack-left-five-wounded{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian citizen identified as suspect in Thursday's stabbing attack in Amsterdam - English Section |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/9766/Artykul/3502865,ukrainian-citizen-identified-as-suspect-in-thursday%E2%80%99s-stabbing-attack-in-amsterdam |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=www.polskieradio.pl |language=pl-PL}}