A stabbing incident in the Dutch city of Rotterdam left one person dead and another seriously wounded late Thursday. The police quickly apprehended a suspect who was also injured during the incident.
Authorities are investigating the stabbing near the well-known Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. Police spokesperson Wessel Stolle mentioned that the motive behind the attack is not immediately apparent, stating that all possible scenarios are being considered.
Initial reports from witnesses indicated that the attacker, armed with two knives, was shouting “Allahu Akbar,” meaning God is great in Arabic, as he randomly targeted people. Police are looking into these claims as part of their investigation.
Reniël Renato David Litecia, a sports instructor, intervened during the attack, managing to disarm the assailant and prevent further harm. He recounted that upon approaching the scene, he realized it was not a mere fight but a stabbing incident, prompting him to act quickly.
Police spokesperson Kristel Arntz mentioned that the attacker is believed to have initially targeted a person in an underground parking lot before moving on to a second victim near a busy terrace close to one end of the bridge crossing the New Maas river.
It is too early in the investigation to determine a clear motive for the attack, according to Arntz. The suspect has been taken into custody for questioning, with witness statements being analyzed to establish the events leading to the incident.
The identities of both the victims and the suspect have not been disclosed at this time, as authorities continue their investigation into the tragic events that unfolded in Rotterdam.