Tourists rescue driver after car drives into Keizersgracht canal in central Amsterdam
A car drove into the Keizersgracht canal in central Amsterdam on Friday morning, prompting a swift rescue by two tourists who pulled the driver from the water.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. when the car veered into the canal for reasons still under investigation. Emergency services, including two ambulances, a dive team, and several fire trucks, were dispatched to the scene.
Before emergency responders arrived, two bystanders, identified as tourists, jumped into the water and swam to the sinking car. They managed to free the driver, a woman, and brought her safely to the canal’s edge.
"It was a heroic act by those individuals," said a spokesperson for the Amsterdam Fire Department.
The fire department confirmed that the woman was quickly brought to safety thanks to the bystanders' intervention. Both the driver and her rescuers were treated at the scene and warmed up. All three were reported to be in good condition.
The car initially floated in the middle of the canal before sinking, temporarily blocking the waterway for boats. Fire department divers and a crane truck were deployed to remove the vehicle from the canal.
The obstruction was cleared quickly, and canal traffic resumed by late morning. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the incident.
