The hostage case that unfolded for several hours today in the Netherlands had a happy ending as all the hostages were released safe and sound and the police arrested the suspect.

Authorities said there was no evidence to suggest a “terrorist motive” for the suspect, who took hostages at a bar popular with youth in the town of Ede.

Police said they were notified of a possible hostage situation at 5:15 a.m. (4:15 a.m. GMT) at Café Petticoat.

Multiple media outlets reported that a “distraught” man broke into the bar in the early hours of this morning while staff were cleaning the premises after a party. The man made threats while taking four hostages.

He was armed with “several knives” which he pointed at the hostages, prosecutor Martin Kunst said at a news conference at city hall. The authorities also assured that the black backpack carried by the attacker did not contain explosives.

The incident caused a great mobilization of the special forces of the police and pyrotechnicians.

Police cordoned off the city center and evacuated residents of about 150 buildings near the bar.

Three hostages were initially released with images broadcast by public broadcaster NOS showing them leaving the bar with their hands up.

The fourth hostage was released a short time later and the suspect was subsequently arrested.

NOS footage showed a man kneeling on the ground with his hands behind his back and police handcuffing him.

Known to the police

Police spokeswoman Ann Jan Osterhirt said officers rushed to the scene within minutes of the hostage standoff and immediately began negotiations with him.

“Fortunately, everything went well,” he said, declining to elaborate on the negotiations.

The suspect is known to the police and has a previous conviction for threatening behaviour.

An investigation is being conducted into his motives and his psychological state.

“Great respect and gratitude to the police, emergency services and special forces who resolved the situation,” said Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

“Horrible situation for all these people. My meaning and thoughts are with them and their loved ones. I hope the situation is resolved quickly and safely,” said the mayor of Ede, René Felhulst.

Last year, a 27-year-old man with two guns held several people hostage at an Apple store in Amsterdam and the hostage-taking lasted about five hours, ending when the suspect was hit by a police car as he chased his last hostage, who had escaped his attention and run away. From the store.

The gunman succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

The Netherlands has experienced a number of terrorist attacks and terrorist plots but not on the same scale as other European countries such as France and Britain.