Amsterdam explosion: Driver who set car ablaze may have attempted suicide, police say
Those in the Netherlands in life threatening danger should immediately dial 112 for emergencies, and anyone suffering from depression or contemplating suicide can call 113 Zelfmoordpreventie at any time by dialing either 113 or 0800-0113, or by visiting 113.nl.
Authorities said the driver which allegedly triggered an explosion on Dam Square in Amsterdam may have been trying to commit suicide. The incident on Thursday afternoon happened during a busy period in the city center which came to a sudden stop when an explosive was detonated inside a small red car, which then caught on fire.
The 50-year-old man who was driving the vehicle was taken to an area hospital with severe burn wounds having been engulfed in flames for at least a full minute. He was the only person injured in the incident, even though he drove the car towards the National Monument where a few hundred people were gathered.
“Detectives are keeping all scenarios open, but have strong suspicions that the man wanted to take his own life,” police said. “He is suspected of arson.”
The driver is from Noord-Holland, but police did not name the municipality where he resides. “At this moment he is seriously injured, and is not communicative,” a police spokesperson told AT5.
“On the basis of what we have gathered from our own systems, we are considering that the man wanted to kill himself. But that is but one of the scenarios we are considering. All avenues remain open,” she said regarding the state of the investigation.
Although there were no other injuries, authorities were concerned about witnesses who may have watched in horror as the driver of the vehicle rolled out of his car on fire, tried to roll around on the ground, and then stood up and walked around still in flames. It took police about 90 seconds to extinguish the man while one officer stood pointing what appeared to be a taser at him, and another tried shouting at him.
“That something like this happens - during the day and on a quiet day - is very impactful,” the spokesperson told AT5. She said that victim support services would be provided via Slachtofferhulp Nederland because of the “enormous impact” the situation may have had on people.
What remained of the vehicle was towed away after explosives experts and forensics investigators examined the car. The Dam Square area was largely closed to pedestrians and traffic until about 4:45 p.m., when the police removed their cordon and reopened the area.
All trams were also running on their normal schedule by that time, according to the city’s public transport operator, GVB.
