The five were all in the Apple Store when a man entered and the hostage situation began. The hostage-taker threatened to blow himself up. He demanded 200 million euros in crypto currency and safe conduct from the property.
Hidden in a closet
About 70 people hiding in the building were taken to safety by the police during and after the hostage crisis. Four people were hiding in a closet.
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Halsema: “The four people who kept quiet for hours in a closet and lived in fear that they would be discovered are also courageous. Despite their plight, they were able to pass on important information about the hostage situation to the police.”
‘Run away at the risk of his own life’
The hostage situation ended late in the evening when the hostage taker tried to grab bottles of water from a robot at the front door. The hostage man ran. The Amsterdammer immediately gave chase, but was hit hard by a police car. He died the next day from his injuries. The hostage, a man from Bulgaria, was unharmed.
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What is the Hero Pin?
The Heldenspeld is an award that goes to Amsterdammers who have committed themselves to fellow citizens. It is an initiative of the municipality.
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Halsema: “The hostage decided to run in a split second, at the risk of his own life. His act of heroism is incredibly brave, even if he does not see himself as a hero.”
Halsema says that ‘the violent hostage-taking has made a deep impression on those directly involved’. “The whole country sympathized with the hostages.”
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