“Since the beginning of the hostage taking in the Apple Store in Leidseplein, several people have been able to leave the store,” the police said on Twitter, without specifying the number of people.
No police figures
The police, who asked Internet users to exercise restraint in posting images, did not release the number of people who were still in the building of the shop. “We don’t want to share information about the situation in and around the building at this time,” she said.
The police operation was still ongoing after several people were released, a spokesperson told Dutch news agency ANP.
According to the local media Het Parool, there is currently a hostage taker and a hostage, information not confirmed by the police.
Police have said they are reluctant to release more information to ensure the safety of those involved. Police, who have asked netizens to exercise restraint in posting images, are determining how many people are in the shop building, Dutch public television NOS reports.
Footage circulating on social media shows an armed man holding another unarmed man. According to the media AT5, several witnesses heard gunshots in the Apple Store.
Law enforcement is on site with numerous specialist units “to bring the situation under control”, police said.
She had received a report of an armed robbery at 5:40 p.m. (1640 GMT). This alleged robbery then turned into a hostage situation.
“We are currently reluctant to provide information about the situation in the Apple Store on Leidseplein so as not to disrupt our investigation and efforts there”
“We would like to ask anyone with a view of the Apple Store building to exercise restraint in posting images or live streams, due to the safety of those involved and our policing efforts,” police said.
The place has been emptied
She also asked residents, contractors and employees working on Leidseplein not to go outside to see the scene and to stay inside.
“We are currently reluctant to provide information about the situation in the Apple Store on Leidseplein so as not to disrupt our investigation and efforts there,” police said.
“Of course, we also see the images on social media regarding the situation at Leidseplein. We are securing the images and including them in the investigation,” she added.