Several arrests made in connection with Amsterdam explosion; Ties to ATM burglary crew
Police in Amsterdam confirmed that several people were arrested on Friday afternoon in connection with a massive explosion that leveled a fitness center and destroyed an electricity transformer in the Osdorperplein neighborhood of Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Seven people were injured in the blast, including two people in critical condition. One of the two will likely have several limbs amputated, and may have been part of a team preparing explosives for use in ATM bombings.
"Multiple people are in custody because of the explosion," a police spokesperson told NL Times. "We also seized a number of vehicles." A black Audi RS3 Sportback was one of the vehicles towed away from the scene. Earlier in the day, witnesses also told NL Times that police were examining a black Volkswagen Golf that was left near the 24-hour gymnasium, Fitness Studio Onna.
The explosion took place at about 12:15 a.m. One resident said, “I stepped out on the balcony while my little baby was sleeping, and heard somebody shout, ‘Don’t do it!’ Then, three or four seconds later, I heard the explosion.” The person asked to remain anonymous.
Soon after, two people were seen fleeing from the area. One resident told the Telegraaf that individuals raced off in a black Audi RS3 or RS6. Parool reported similar information, adding that the vehicle had German license plates.
Two different residents told NL Times that they believed the explosion and victims may be linked to earlier bombings of ATMs. Sources told Parool that seven or eight adolescent boys and young men were using a basement storage underneath the fitness center to prepare large packages of explosive to blow up ATMs, and smaller packages to blow open doors, with the plan to carry out violent burglaries in Germany.
The fierce blast may be due to several boys smoking near the explosives, Parool reported. That triggered a chain-reaction heard as far away as the city center.
One of the men in their early 20s is the brother of a convicted felon halfway through a four-year prison sentence for orchestrating and preparing ATM bombings in Amsterdam, Kaatsheuvel, and the German border region. The young brother was one of the seven hurt, suffering burn wounds.
His friend is one of the two in critical condition. Known locally by the nickname "Gekko," the man is expected to have both his legs amputated as well as an arm.
It is not yet clear who the other injured victims are. Several of the other boys, mostly aged 16 to 18, got off with a scare. Some of those involved have a history of criminal convictions.
Police have yet to confirm whether the explosion was a criminal act in itself, and they have not yet linked the incident to a crew connected to ATM bombings in the Netherlands or Germany. So far, emergency services workers at the scene have been primarily focused on the searching the rubble for any other victims, and making the structure safe for entry.
"Because emergency services are currently focused on rescuing potential victims, forensic experts and detectives are unable to enter the building where the explosion occurred to conduct an investigation. For this reason, a possible cause of the explosion cannot yet be determined," police said.
"However, detectives are present in the vicinity of the affected building to conduct an investigation around the property. This includes requesting security camera footage, and are speaking with local residents."
Those who remain in police custody will likely be brought before an examining magistrate for a remand hearing by the end of Monday. In some cases, this may also be extended by up to three days. During the closed-door hearing, suspects can be ordered held for up to 14 days before an arraignment is held in a district court.
Energy grid operator Liander told NL Times they have not found any indication to suggest the incident was the result of a natural gas explosion. They have not ruled it out, but said there has been no evidence to point their crews in that direction.
Although the adjacent apartment buildings were not structurally damaged by the blast, over 220 residences were without power on Friday. Liander was working on a temporary solution to restore power by the end of the day.
That said, residents will not be able to return to the building on Friday, the city of Amsterdam confirmed. They will be housed in a hotel while the investigation and emergency response continues.
