Third suspect arrested for explosions at pizza chain and local delicatessen
The police have arrested a third suspect in relation to the string of explosions at the Pizzabakkers restaurants in Amsterdam. The man is a 24-year-old from Amsterdam and is suspected of causing an explosion on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the delicatessen store Sagra Food & Wine on the Plantage Kerklaan.
Even though the delicatessen store is not affiliated with the Pizzabakkers chain, investigators are looking into the incident, suspecting it may be linked to the other explosions.
Two people had been arrested for the series of explosions at the Pizzabakkers chains in Amsterdam: one boy, 14, and a 17-year-old. The arrests were made on September 3 and November 18. More arrests have not been ruled out by police.
Multiple explosions struck a short stretch of time between late August and early September 2025, mainly on Plantage Kerklaan. Neighborhood group 1018 reported that the first two incidents targeted the pizza chain, while the third hit the Sagra delicatessen.
The consecutive attacks, two at De Pizzabakkers followed by one at Sagra, prompted the city to shut down four properties in Amsterdam for six months. These included two Plantage Kerklaan locations, plus buildings on Overtoom in Amsterdam-West and Haarlemmerdijk in the city center.
After the explosions, police presence in the neighborhood was significantly increased. The city installed additional cameras on the street and organized an information meeting for local residents, which about 100 people attended.
The reason behind the attacks is still unknown. Officials have not provided an explanation for why this specific chain and street were singled out. Earlier, the pizza chain’s owners said they found it “difficult to imagine anyone hating them enough to want to ruin their business.”
Police highlight the alarming rise in explosive attacks in Amsterdam, stressing the significant risks for entrepreneurs, local residents, and first responders. The police are urging residents to provide crucial information to help track down the suspects behind this extreme violence.
