DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

9 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Apple hostage taker did have explosives, but they were not primed

February 23, 2022
The gunman fired several shots at the store window. Photo: Olaf Kraak ANP
The gunman fired several shots at the store window. Photo: Olaf Kraak ANP

The 27-year-old man who took another man hostage in the Apple store on Amsterdam’s Leidseplein on Tuesday evening did have explosive materials attached to his body but it was not primed to go off, police said on Wednesday.

Photos and video of the stand-off show the man was wearing camouflage gear with what looked like explosives attached to his chest with wires. He also had a pistol and a semi-automatic weapon.

The hostage taking ended shortly after 10.30 pm when the hostage, now known to be Bulgarian not British, ran off, chased by the gunman. He was then hit by a police car and rolled over the bonnet to the ground.

Police said the man was very seriously injured and is under guard in hospital.

Police have searched two homes, one in Amsterdam West and one in the centre, in their search for evidence and confiscated IT equipment.

The gunman had demanded €200m in crypto currency and had threatened to blow himself up if his demands were not met. Police say they think the man, who had a criminal record for fire arms offences, acted alone.

According to the Telegraaf, the man worked for the Albert Heijn supermarket group delivering groceries. His van with the lights flashing could be clearly seen on photos and camera footage of the stand-off.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Not a holiday camp: Faber plans to stop all outings for refugees
New pope Leo XIV is seen as socially engaged bridge-builder
Police bust record number of drugs labs, many in urban areas
National library in The Hague robbed of 6 rare Russian books
Dutch News podcast: The Strictly Not Dancing With Wolves Edition
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now