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

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.