Dutch Tram Attack Leaves 3 Dead

Dutch Tram Attack Leaves 3 Dead

The mayor of the Dutch city of Utrecht said that a "terror motive" is the most plausible option for the attack.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Mar 19, 2019

Three people were killed and nine more wounded in an attack on a Dutch tram Monday. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the attack in the city of Utrecht could be terrorism related.

"Our nation was hit by an attack in Utrecht," Rutte said. "It is clear there were shots on tram passengers, that there are wounded."

Just after 11:40 a.m. local time, police in the central Dutch city said on Twitter that "multiple people have been injured as a result of a shooting in a tram in a residential neighborhood." Trauma helicopters were sent to the scene and police asked the public to stay away from the area, allowing first responders to do their work.

Police, including heavily armed officers, flooded the scene which was a busy traffic intersection and the Dutch anti-terror coordinator immediately raised the threat alert to its highest level around Utrecht as a result of the shooting. 

"The threat level has gone to 5," Anti-terror Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg said in a statement. "Exclusively for the Utrecht province."

The suspect fled from the scene on foot and within a few hours, police gathered in front of an apartment block close to the scene. It was revealed that the suspect in the shooting is a 37-year-old Turkey-born man. Police released a picture of a bearded man sitting on public transport, dressed in a dark blue top with a hood tucked into his neck.

Police said they were searching for the shooter with "all possible means." 

German police say they have upped surveillance on the country's border with the Netherlands and are on the lookout for the gunman. They said they have added police to not only major highways, but also minor crossings as well as railway routes.


About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises. 3