Five people were seriously injured in a stabbing attack on a crowded shopping street in Amsterdam on Thursday afternoon. Dutch police said the suspect was stopped by a British tourist near Dam Square.

The attack started around 3:30 p.m. and lasted several minutes. Police believe the victims were chosen at random.

The injured include a 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man from the United States, a 73-year-old woman from Belgium, a 26-year-old man from Poland, and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam. All suffered serious injuries.

Emergency services, including multiple ambulances and a trauma helicopter, responded to the scene. Police cordoned off the area as investigators began collecting evidence.

The suspect injured his leg while being overpowered by the British man and was taken to the hospital. His identity and motive have not been confirmed.

Footage from the scene showed the bystander pinning the attacker to the ground and holding him until police arrived. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema awarded the man a hero’s medal and thanked him publicly.

This is the man that allegedly stopped the deadly knife attack in Amsterdam before police arrived.

Heroes walk among us.

Those that have the courage to put themselves in harm’s way to save the lives of others should be celebrated.pic.twitter.com/gr5pzamDoQ

— Anthony Pompliano 🌪 (@APompliano) March 28, 2025

“He is a very modest British man,” Halsema told local news channel AT5. “He has no desire to become famous. He is now mainly concerned with the victims.”

In a statement, Halsema said, “The police investigation is in full swing and has full priority at the moment. We hope to soon get more clarity about the background of this horrible stabbing. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones.”