Four men arrested at Tilburg train station for allegedly being involved in a bomb scare on Sunday evening have been released without charge, broadcaster NOS reports.

After a night in the cells, police declared the four had nothing to do with a bag that was left unattended on a train and was reported as ‘suspicious’ by several passengers.

The station, which was busy because of two festivals nearby, had to be evacuated. In the event the bag did not contain anything dangerous.

Earlier police had said the four were being held for threatening to commit a terrorist attack which carries a maximum punishment of six years.

The men were locked up for the night because of the late hour of their arrest, which is according to procedure, a police spokesperson told NOS.

He confirmed the men were none too pleased at having to spend a night in prison. ‘I hope they understand. We are not doing this to please ourselves,’ he said.