Amsterdam, Netherlands – A knife attack in central Amsterdam has left five people injured, including two from the United States, a 73-year-old woman from Belgium, and a 26-year-old man from Poland. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon near the busy Dam Square, leading Dutch police to detain a 30-year-old Ukrainian national suspected of being the assailant.

The attack unfolded around 3:30 p.m. local time and lasted for several minutes before bystanders intervened, overpowering the assailant. According to police, the suspect, who had arrived in Amsterdam just a day before the incident, sustained an injury to his leg during the altercation and was swiftly arrested. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on April 1 for a detention hearing. As stated by Reuters, while investigations continue, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

The victims have been identified as a 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man from the U.S., along with the other foreigners. One victim, the Polish man, was released from the hospital the following day, while others remain stable but hospitalized, according to authorities.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema expressed her concern, stating, "Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and loved ones," as the police prioritize the ongoing investigation into this "horrible stabbing" incident. Police spokesperson Eline Roovers confirmed, "The suspect was detained with the help of a civilian" and emphasized the scenario of random targeting of victims, as stated in reports from Le Monde and CBS News.

Last year, Amsterdam dealt with several similar stabbings linked to mental health issues, prompting the city to establish a hotline for residents to report concerning behavior.