Live blog hostage situation in Ede: hostage situation ended

Publication date Saturday March 30, 2024

The KCC can be reached on telephone number 14 0318. The information from the KCC is the same as we state here on the website.

We hereby conclude reporting on the hostage situation.

The KCC (14 0318) will remain available for questions until 5:00 PM today. We are also available during Easter from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Your questions will be answered where possible. Otherwise we will contact you after Easter.

The trains between Ede-Wageningen and Barneveld-Zuid are running again.

Shops in Ede center may decide to stay open until 10 p.m. tonight.

Statement by Mayor René Verhulst

“I am extremely relieved that the hostage situation at Café Petticoat has come to a successful conclusion. Thanks to the quick and good action of all emergency services, all four hostages were able to leave the building unharmed. Everything that happened today will have a tremendous impact on the victims. have an impact. I would like to wish them and their families a lot of strength and support in the coming period to deal with all of this. Where we can, we will support them. The area, except for the café itself, has just been reopened by the police, which means local residents can return home and shops and restaurants in the area can open again.”

Please note: the police operation is still ongoing. The cordons will remain in place until the police clear the area.

The press conference about the hostage situation in Ede starts at 1:30 PM. The press conference is at the Town Hall in Ede. Mayor René Verhulst, Anne Jan Oosterheert (Head of Police Operations in the East Netherlands) and Marthyne Kunst (Chief Officer in the East Netherlands Public Prosecution Service) speak to the press about the hostage situation in Ede.

Follow the press conference live via the Facebook of the municipality of Ede.

Police confirm an arrest and the release of one hostage. The police will indicate when the incident is finished.

The shops within the red line on the map below will remain closed until further notice. Shops outside the red line can open. The police will determine when the area will be released due to the ongoing investigation.

Download the map here (pdf, 11 MB)

Gelderland Police: “We understand that there are many questions about the situation in Ede. At this time, the safety of those involved and the emergency services is the most important. That is why we are cautious in our communication about the situation. In this way we can carefully work. As soon as there are updates, we will report this.”

Statement by Mayor René Verhulst

“A hostage situation is currently underway in the center of Ede. Three hostages have just been released, but the situation is still ongoing. A terrible situation for all these people. My concern and thoughts go out to them and their loved ones. I hope that the situation is now resolved quickly and safely.

We see a lot of videos of the situation on site going online. I urge you to use this with great restraint and not to share it. The hostages who are now free have the right to peace and privacy. The police also want to be able to do their work properly.

In addition to my concern for the hostages, I understand that this has an impact on all people who have suddenly had to leave their homes, as well as on the entrepreneurs in the center, as all shops remain closed for the time being. I hope for their understanding, especially on this day before Easter. We have opened the Town Hall as a reception location. The authorities involved are making every effort to resolve the situation in a safe and peaceful manner. As soon as more information becomes available, we will share it with you. Follow the police channels and our channels for this.”

Police have confirmed that 3 hostages have been released from the cafe. The hostage situation is still ongoing.

An information point has been set up for retailers and other entrepreneurs in the center of Ede. This is at the Raadhuis, Bergstraat 4.

We notice that there are many questions about the reason. At this time there is no indication of a terrorist motive.

A hostage situation involving several people is underway in a building in the center. That is why several specialist services are on site.

NB! All shops in Ede-Centrum will remain closed for the time being. Do not come to the center of Ede.

Many of the shops in Ede-Centrum cannot open due to the incident. We will post a map of the area that has been cordoned off here as soon as possible. Do not come to the center of Ede.

Due to an incident, the police are calling on people to stay away from the center of Ede. What exactly is going on has not been revealed. On Saturday morning, officers and an arrest team gathered at a building on Museumplein. The riot police and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) are also present.

About 150 homes are being evacuated due to the incident. Residents are welcomed in the Town Hall.

Train traffic between Ede-Wageningen and Barneveld-Zuid has also been halted.