Hostage situation at Dutch city nightclub ends with man's arrest

A hostage situation at a nightclub in the eastern Netherlands ended on Saturday after nine hours when police arrested a man wearing a balaclava who emerged from the premises. .

"The last hostage has just been released. One person has been arrested," police announced.

Four employees were taken hostage at the Petticoat Café in the town of Ede, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Amsterdam. Officials said at a news conference that the suspect, who was known to police beforehand, threatened the hostages with a knife.

First group of 3 released. Photos from public broadcaster NOS showed them walking out of the building with their hands raised. The fourth hostage was released shortly afterward, and the alleged hostage-taker was also arrested.

NOS footage showed the man kneeling on the ground with his hands behind his back as officers handcuffed him. Police announced on social media that special police forces were stationed at discos in the city centre. During the incident, authorities evacuated around 150 homes in the city and trains to Ede were suspended.

At one point, a police explosive ordnance disposal squad with remote-controlled robots was on the scene.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: ``I would like to pay great respect and respect to the police, emergency services and special operations services for successfully ending the hostage situation in the cafe in Ede.'' Everyone exerted tremendous strength to cope with this intense and dramatic event. ”

Ede Mayor René Verhulst said at a press conference: ``As far as we know, it's a Dutchman, a Dutch national, and he is known by the police.''

Verhulst Furst said the hostages were "very emotional" and were now with their families. Police will speak to them and the hostage takers, he said.

“Fortunately, we are happy,” said Verhulst. "There were a lot of emotions. We had to evacuate the area, but everything worked out in the end." He said he would visit.