Last hostage released in the Netherlands and one man arrested after around 150 homes evacuated


All of the people taken hostage in a night club in the Netherlands have now been released, local police have said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Update Ede: The last hostage has just been released. One person has been arrested. We cannot share more information at this time," the post by Gelderland police read.

They were being held in Café Petticoat, a popular bar in Ede, a market town 85 kilometres southeast of Amsterdam in the province of Gelderland.

At 10.24 a.m. GMT police released an update saying three hostages had been released, but that "the situation [was] not over yet".

Video from the scene showed three people walking out of the club with their hands in the air following their release.

Around 150 home have been evacuated earlier in the day in response to the incident, as police believed there was a person in the area "who could be a danger to themselves or others.”

Authorities evacuated around 150 households on Saturday morning. Credit: AP

Ede Mayor René Verhulst confirmed there was a hostage situation "underway" in a statement late morning, in what he described as a "terrible situation".

He urged people to be cautious of footage of the incident circulating on social media and

said the hostages who had been freed now "have the right to peace and privacy".

Local authorities have yet to issue any further information about the incident and how many people are involved.

Images from the scene in Ede showed police and firefighters on the streets in a cordoned-off area.

The municipality said that all shops in the centre of Ede would remain closed, while the town hall has been opened to the public for information.


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