A 24-year-old man was killed on Saturday evening by a stabbing at the asylum seekers’ center (azc) in Heemserveen in the Overijssel municipality of Hardenberg. A 23-year-old suspect was immediately arrested. He is suspected of murder or manslaughter, the police reported on Sunday. Both persons stayed in the azc.
Police have not yet said what led to the stabbing. This is because an investigation is still being carried out into what exactly happened, a police spokesman told NU.nl.
Residents and employees of the azc are “very shocked”, says a spokesperson for the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). Victim support is available for them. “In the coming days we will mainly focus on aftercare, help and support for the residents.”
Although it will be quiet again on Sunday at the AZC, the COA will keep a close eye on the security situation in the coming days, according to the spokesperson.
Asylum Seekers Center Hardenberg was opened in 2016. There is room for 750 asylum seekers.