At least five people have been injured in a "mass stabbing" in the centre of Dutch capital Amsterdam, police have said.
The attack happened shortly after 2.30pm GMT - with dozens of police cars descending on the city's iconic Dam Square just minutes later.
A spokesman confirmed the attacker had been arrested, though did not mention a potential motive.
Meanwhile, images from local TV channel AT5 show an air ambulance landing in the square - just metres from Sint Nicolaasstraat, where police said the stabbing occurred.
Local media reports say a large cordon has since been set up on both Sint Nicolaasstraat and the square itself.
Dutch police are now urging anyone in the area to share images of the incident through a secure link on the force's website.
One witness said that "suddenly an icy scream could be heard", sparking panic in Dam Square, though he added that he and bystanders did not know what was going on.
A local shop worker also said that she suddenly heard a lot of shouting and screaming - and that people started running in the direction of the incident.
Local newspaper De Telegraaf was told by one young woman that "that's happening everywhere now, just look at Germany," in reference to a recent spate of terrorist attacks across Europe.
Though police maintain that they have not yet established a motive, the stabbing does follow a number of high-profile incidents across the continent.
MORE AS ATTACKS SWEEP EUROPE:
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The attack happened shortly after 2.30pm GMT - with dozens of police cars descending on the city's iconic Dam Square just minutes later.
A spokesman confirmed the attacker had been arrested, though did not mention a potential motive.
Meanwhile, images from local TV channel AT5 show an air ambulance landing in the square - just metres from Sint Nicolaasstraat, where police said the stabbing occurred.
Local media reports say a large cordon has since been set up on both Sint Nicolaasstraat and the square itself.
Dutch police are now urging anyone in the area to share images of the incident through a secure link on the force's website.
One witness said that "suddenly an icy scream could be heard", sparking panic in Dam Square, though he added that he and bystanders did not know what was going on.
A local shop worker also said that she suddenly heard a lot of shouting and screaming - and that people started running in the direction of the incident.
Local newspaper De Telegraaf was told by one young woman that "that's happening everywhere now, just look at Germany," in reference to a recent spate of terrorist attacks across Europe.
Though police maintain that they have not yet established a motive, the stabbing does follow a number of high-profile incidents across the continent.
MORE AS ATTACKS SWEEP EUROPE:
- At least one dead and several injured after high-speed car ramming attack in Germany - Police lock down city centre
- France knife attack: One dead and two injured in horror stabbing with suspect on 'terror watchlist'
- German Christmas market attack suspect 'made Boston Marathon-style terror threat' before being granted asylum
More to follow...
Find Out More...