Third explosion targeting Amsterdam businesses in three days

An explosion damaged a construction equipment rental shop on Zeilstraat in Amsterdam-Zuid overnight. It was the third explosion targeting Amsterdam businesses in as many nights and the second explosion on Zeilstraat this week.

Locals told AT5 that they heard the blast at around 00:40 a.m. on Tuesday. The explosion damaged the building’s windows and porch, a police spokesperson told the local broadcaster.

The police closed off the street and called in the Ministry of Defense’s disposal removal department EOD.

At 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, an explosion damaged the cafe next to the construction rental shop on Zeilstraat. The cafe was also the target of a shooting in 2021.

Another explosion caused significant damage to a supermarket on Hoofdweg in Amsterdam-West at 4:40 a.m. on Monday. The supermarket is across the street from a police station. The blast shattered the supermarket’s windows and caused a fire outside it.

The police are investigating all three explosions. It is not yet clear whether there is a connection between them.