Dutch police arrest man exiting nightclub, last hostage released

Police officers detain a person near the Cafe Petticoat, where several people were being held hostage in Ede, Netherlands, March 30, 2024.

A hostage drama at a nightclub in the eastern Netherlands ended on Saturday when police arrested a man wearing a balaclava mask after he exited the club.

"A police statement said, 'The last hostage has just been released. One person has been arrested.' We cannot share more information at this time."

Journalists at the scene observed a man leaving the nightclub with his hands in the air. He was then detained and placed in a police vehicle.

Special police units had been deployed to the scene, a building in the center of the town of Ede, to deal with the hostage situation, as stated by police on social media.

Earlier, police had mentioned that there was no indication of a terrorist motive.

According to national newspaper de Telegraaf, citing several anonymous sources, people were held at the nightclub by a man armed with weapons and explosives.

Dutch police officers detain a person near the Cafe Petticoat, where several people are being held hostage in Ede, Netherlands March 30,

Dutch police officers work near the Cafe Petticoat, where several people are being held hostage in Ede, Netherlands March 30, 2024.

Dutch police officers work near the Cafe Petticoat, where several people are being held hostage in Ede, Netherlands March 30, 2024.

Dutch police officers work near the Cafe Petticoat, where several people are being held hostage in Ede, Netherlands March 30, 2024.