Multiple people were killed on Thursday after a shooter opened fire in a classroom at a university medical site in Rotterdam and a neighbouring residence, according to Dutch police. Police announced on social media that bullets had been fired at a residence and the Rotterdam Medical Centre, leading to the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect. They said that both places had fires that had started.
How many persons were harmed where was not immediately known. According to Dutch news agency ANP, officers were searching the hospital university’s grounds for potential victims or persons hiding.
Online videos showed police directing students to leave the building as highly armed arrest squads approached; some of the students were wearing medical gowns. In one video, a man wearing what looked to be camouflage trousers was handcuffed.
Police reported that there had been many fatalities two hours later and that the victims’ families had been notified.
Dilan Yesilgöz, the interim minister of justice and security, was cited in the daily de Telegraaf as stating, “This is a very dark day,” in remarks made in Brussels.
There were no signs of a second gunman, according to the police. Local authorities organised a news conference.
