Prisoner escapes during hospital appointment in Utrecht; Authorities launch manhunt
A prisoner escaped while attending an appointment at the Diakonessenhuis in Utrecht on Friday afternoon. The hospital said the man got into a fight with his two escorts and took a weapon from one of them, NOS has reported. Authorities have quickly began a major manhunt in the area surrounding the Diakonessenhuis and throughout Utrecht. Police helicopters and several police vehicles are on hand.
The suspect is a man with a light-brown complexion, dressed in a light gray sweater and matching pants. He is stockily built and bears prominent facial scars. Authorities report that he headed toward Galgenwaard Stadium.
Reports indicate the man is armed and dangerous, and authorities urge citizens not to attempt to detain him, but to call the emergency number 1-1-2 instantly instead. At this time, the exact type of weapon and its status are unknown as the man remains at large. A police spokesperson has told ANP that the police have received several tips about the suspect.
A similar incident occurred on February 24, 2026, at Zwolle’s Isala Hospital, where authorities captured the prisoner, Sofian L., who was serving a 21-year sentence for a murder in 2018 in Breda. During that escape attempt, a DV&O officer had to fire a warning shot to stop him.
At present, prison escape in the Netherlands is not punishable on its own, except when accompanied by violence, property damage, or aid from others. A new bill is, however, being considered to criminalize such escapes.
In the Netherlands, prisoners are not usually escorted by regular police but by the DV&O (Dienst Vervoer & Ondersteuning), a specialized branch of the Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI). Each year, they handle thousands of transfers to hospitals, courts, and dental appointments.
