The two wounded people and the knife-wielding suspect are taken to the hospital, Amsterdam police say, although their condition was not revealed

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Two people were stabbed at Amsterdam's busy Central Station on Friday, August 31, before the alleged attacker was shot and wounded, Dutch police said.

"A suspect has been shot after a stabbing incident at Amsterdam Central Station," Dutch police said on Twitter.

It is not known at this stage whether the incident is terror related.

Police told Dutch media that the assailant's motive was unknown, and later tweeted that they were "looking at all scenarios."

Initially, police indicated that the station – which is located in the Dutch capital's historic canal-ringed city center – had been evacuated and closed off to all rail traffic.

However, police shortly afterwards issued an update to say there was "no talk" of a complete evacuation and that only two platforms had been closed off to passengers.

The two wounded people and the knife-wielding suspect were taken to hospital, Amsterdam police said, although their condition was not revealed.

A witness told the local Amsterdam AT broadcaster that the attacker was a man in his 30s.

One of the victims is believed to be a young foreign man who was stabbed in the hand.

Multiple police vehicles and ambulances were seen outside the large red-brick station, while red and white police tape cordoned off an area.

Images posted on social media by people at the station showed security guards ushering passengers towards exits and paramedics arriving at the scene with stretchers.

The Netherlands has so far been spared from the slew of terror attacks which have rocked its closest European neighbours in the past few years.

But amid a number of scares and reports that people linked to some of the attacks may have crossed briefly into the country, concerned top Dutch security and intelligence officials have stressed that the threat level is substantial.

Around 250,000 people travel through Central Station every day, according to statistics provided by the Amsterdam.info travel guide.

Trams, which leave from the front of the station were not running, police said, adding that more information was not immediately available. – Rappler.com</s>Two people were stabbed at Amsterdam's busy Central Station on Friday before the alleged attacker was shot and wounded, Dutch police said.

"A suspect has been shot after a stabbing incident at Amsterdam Central Station," Dutch police said on Twitter.

It is not known at this stage whether the incident is terror related.

Police told Dutch media that the assailant's motive was unknown, and later tweeted that they were "looking at all scenarios."

Initially, police indicated that the station -- which is located in the Dutch capital's historic canal-ringed city centre -- had been evacuated and closed off to all rail traffic.

However, police shortly afterwards issued an update to say there was "no talk" of a complete evacuation and that only two platforms had been closed off to passengers.

The two wounded people and the knife-wielding suspect were taken to hospital, Amsterdam police said, although their condition was not revealed.

A witness told the local Amsterdam AT broadcaster that the attacker was a man in his 30s.

One of the victims is believed to be a young foreign man who was stabbed in the hand.

Multiple police vehicles and ambulances were seen outside the large red-brick station, while red and white police tape cordoned off an area.

Images posted on social media by people at the station showed security guards ushering passengers towards exits and paramedics arriving at the scene with stretchers.

The Netherlands has so far been spared from the slew of terror attacks which have rocked its closest European neighbours in the past few years.

But amid a number of scares and reports that people linked to some of the attacks may have crossed briefly into the country, concerned top Dutch security and intelligence officials have stressed that the threat level is substantial.

Around 250,000 people travel through Central Station every day, according to statistics provided by the Amsterdam.info travel guide.

Trams, which leave from the front of the station were not running, police said, adding that more information was not immediately available.</s>Two people were stabbed at Amsterdam’s busy Central Station on Friday before the alleged attacker was shot and wounded, Dutch police said.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunshots rang out and thousands of commuters and tourists were evacuated from the railway terminal soon after midday.

“A suspect has been shot after a stabbing incident at Amsterdam Central Station,” police said on Twitter.

It was not clear whether the incident was terror-related.

Police told Dutch media the assailant’s motive was unknown and tweeted that they were “looking at all scenarios”.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The two injured people and the knife-wielding suspect were taken to hospital, Amsterdam police said, although their condition was not revealed.

One witness said he saw a young man “stumble” into his flower shop at the station with a bleeding wound to his hand.

“Shortly afterwards I heard some shots and I know something has gone badly wrong,” Richard Snelders told the ANP news agency. A while later he saw another man lying on the ground nearby, he said.

“The first thing that comes up in your mind is that it’s a terror attack. After all, you are at Amsterdam Central Station. There was a lot of panic,” Snelders said.

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Police quickly arrived at the scene, ordering one of the men in English to “stay down” after he had been shot, Snelders added. “It happened really quickly.”

Images posted on social media showed security guards ushering passengers towards exits and paramedics arriving at the scene with stretchers.

Initially, police said the station, which is in the Dutch capital’s historic canal-ringed city centre, had been evacuated and closed off to all rail traffic.

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However, police soon afterwards issued an update to say there was “no talk” of a complete evacuation and that only two platforms were closed to passengers.

An AFP correspondent at the scene said police cordoned off an area inside the station soon after the incident and herded throngs of people outside.

“A large group of people, including foreign tourists, are still patiently waiting outside the station,” the correspondent said, adding that a “large number of police are still present”.

The two platforms which were cordoned off were reopened for rail traffic two hours later, police said.

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Several police vehicles and ambulances were seen outside the large red-brick station as security officials and police officers stood guard wearing high-visibility vests.

The Netherlands has so far been spared from the series of terror attacks which have rocked its closest European neighbours in the past few years.

But amid a number of scares and reports that people linked to some of the attacks may have crossed briefly into the country, concerned top Dutch security and intelligence officials have stressed that the threat level is substantial.

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Prime Minister Mark Rutte did not mention the incident at his weekly press conference.

Around 250,000 people travel through Central Station every day, according to statistics provided by the Amsterdam.info travel guide.

Trams, which leave from the front of the station were not running, police said, adding that more information was not immediately available.</s>A knife attacker on Friday stabbed two people at Amsterdam's Central Station before being shot by police in a suspected terror attack, Dutch police said.

The suspect was identified late on Friday evening as a 19-year-old Afghan man with a German residency permit.

"We are seriously taking into account that there was a terrorist motive," Frans Zuiderhoek, Amsterdam police spokesman, told AFP.

Witnesses described scenes of panic earlier as gunshots sounded and thousands of commuters and tourists were evacuated from the rail terminus shortly after midday.

"Around 12.10 a man in the west side tunnel of Amsterdam Central Station stabbed two other people and directly after that he was shot by the police," another police spokesman Rob van der Veen said, adding terrorism was not being ruled out by investigators.

"The two people are very badly injured, and they were brought to the hospital," he said.

"We are looking at all scenarios, also the worst scenario, which is terrorism."

Policemen and forensic scientists are at work after a stabbing incident at the central station in Amsterdam Credit: REMKO DE WAAL/AFP

One witness said he saw a young man "stumble" into his flower shop at the station with a bleeding wound to his hand.

"Shortly afterwards I heard some shots and I know something has gone badly wrong," Richard Snelders told the ANP news agency. A while later he saw another man lying on the ground nearby, he said.

"The first thing that comes up in your mind is that it's a terror attack. After all, you are at Amsterdam Central Station. There was a lot of panic," Snelders said.

Police quickly arrived at the scene with video images showing police ordering the suspect in English to "stay down" after he had been shot.

"It happened really quickly," Mr Snelders said.

Images posted on social media showed security guards ushering passengers towards exits and paramedics arriving at the scene with stretchers.

Mr Zuiderhoek said the knifeman's condition was not life-threatening, but that he had been shot in the lower body.

"At this moment he is under police custody in hospital. He is being questioned about his motive," Mr Zuiderhoek added.

Dutch police were also in close contact with their German counterparts in regards to the suspect's background, he added.

Policemen are at work after the stabbing incident Credit: SEM VAN DER WAL/AFP

Initially, police said that the station - located in the Dutch capital's historic canal-ringed city centre - had been evacuated and closed off to all rail traffic.

However, police shortly afterwards issued an update to say there was "no talk" of a complete evacuation and that only two platforms had been closed off to passengers.

A special police department opened a routine probe into why police shot the man.

The Netherlands has so far been spared from the spate of terror attacks which have rocked its closest European neighbours in the past few years.

But amid reports that people linked to those attacks may have crossed into the country, senior Dutch security and intelligence officials have warned of an elevated risk.

Passengers are pictured outside the Central Railway Station in Amsterdam Credit: GERMAIN MOYON/AFP

Police declined to speculate on the reasons for Friday's incident, but the Afghan Taliban in a statement Thursday called for attacks on Dutch troops following plans by Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders to stage a Prophet Mohammed cartoon competition in the Dutch parliament.

The plan angered Muslims and sparked protests before Mr Wilders, who received several death threats, announced he was cancelling the competition, saying he wanted to "avoid the risk of making people victims of Islamist violence".

About 250,000 people travel through Central Station every day, according to statistics provided by the Amsterdam.info travel guide.</s>Two people were hurt during a stabbing incident at Amsterdam's busy Central Station on Friday morning before the alleged attacker was shot and wounded, Dutch police said.

Dutch police officers point their guns at a wounded 19-year-old man who was shot by police after stabbing two people in the central railway station in Amsterdam. (AP)

"A suspect has been shot after a stabbing incident at Amsterdam Central Station," Dutch police said on Twitter, indicating that the station had been evacuated and closed off to all rail traffic.

However, police shortly afterwards issued an update to say there was "no talk" of a complete evacuation and only two platforms had been closed off to passengers.

The two wounded people and the knife-wielding suspect were taken to hospital, Amsterdam police said.

Trams, which leave from the front of the station were not running, the police added, saying more information was not immediately available.

Around 250,000 people travel through Central Station every day, according to statistics provided by the Amsterdam.info travel guide.

The station is located on the Dutch capital's historic canal-ringed city centre.</s>A suspect was shot by police and apprehended after wounding two people in an apparent stabbing attack at the primary train station in Amsterdam on Friday, police said on their twitter feed.

Both the two victims and the suspect from the incident at Amsterdam Centraal Station were taken to a local hospital with injuries, but their conditions remained unclear.

Videos posted to social media showed part of the station being evacuated, but most travelers were leaving in an orderly fashion. A large police presence was visible outside the station. Police said only the area around two platforms of the sprawling station was evacuated.

The police said the motivation for the attack was not immediately clear and they were investigating "all possible scenarios."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.</s>Dutch police have shot and injured a suspect following a stabbing at Amsterdam's busy central railway station.

Police said two people were injured in the stabbing at Centraal Station, and a tunnel under the tracks was closed following the incident.

The stabbing victims and the suspect were taken to hospital.

The motive for the stabbing is not clear. It is not known if it was terror-related.

Photos shared on social media showed ambulances parked immediately outside the station and paramedics wheeling stretchers.

The station was not evacuated although police tape appeared to be cordoning off part of it.

Trams to and from the square in front of the station were stopped as police and emergency services converged on the area. Red and white police tape kept members of the public away from the scene.

Centraal Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to the Dutch capital, with regular trains linking it to the city's Schiphol Airport.

Friday is one of the busiest days of the week, with many tourists arriving for the weekend.

"It was a big chaos for the station," Jaime van Gastel told De Telegraaf. "It was teeming with police. I saw something of fifteen cars and a lot of agents.

"There was also a central police helicopter circled above, but that is now gone. "</s>Two people wounded in a knife attack at the Dutch capital’s busy main railway station on Friday are both American citizens who were visiting the Netherlands, the U.S. ambassador said Saturday as police investigated possible motives, including the possibility it was an extremist act.

Police shot and wounded a 19-year-old Afghan man immediately after the attack and are questioning him as a suspect.

The attacker’s motives are not yet clear, but police are considering the incident as a possible terrorist attack.

“We are seriously taking into account that there was a terrorist motive,” said an Amsterdam police spokesman.

A dramatic photo captured by a passerby shows two police officers pointing their pistols at a man wearing jeans and sneakers lying on the ground inside a tunnel in the station.

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Ambassador Pete Hoekstra issued a written statement saying embassy officials had been in touch with the victims or their families. Police say they have serious but not life-threatening injuries. Authorities did not disclose the identities of the victims.

“We wish them a speedy recovery and are working closely with the City of Amsterdam to provide assistance to them and their families,” Hoekstra said.

Police say they are still trying to establish a reason for the attack, including whether it was motivated by extremism.

A statement issued late Friday by Amsterdam’s city council said that the Americans did not appear to have been victims of a targeted attack.

Initial police inquiries did not indicate that the victims were chosen deliberately or with a clear reason, Amsterdam authorities said. “The investigation is still underway, and all scenarios remain open for the investigation team,” the City Hall statement said.

Police said in a statement Saturday that the Afghan man was being questioned in the hospital with the help of an interpreter. His identity has not been released, but police say he has a German residency permit.

The stabbings occurred shortly after noon local time on Friday at Central Station in downtown Amsterdam.

“Something happened, we don’t know yet what, but during that two people were stabbed and one person with a knife in his hand walked away and he was shot by police,” police spokesman Rob van der Veen said Friday.

Central Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to Amsterdam, with regular trains linking it to the city’s Schiphol Airport. Friday is one of the busiest days of the week for train travel as tourists arrive for the weekend.

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The station is patrolled by armed police and other security staff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.</s>Dutch police have shot and injured a suspected knife attacker after a stabbing at Amsterdam railway station.

Two people are understood to have been stabbed in a tunnel at the busy terminal in the historic canal-ringed city centre of the Dutch capital.

Three shots were fired as police intervened, according to eyewitnesses.

It is not yet clear whether the incident is terror-related and police said all possible scenarios are being kept open' as they investigate a possible motive.

'A suspect has been shot after a stabbing incident at Amsterdam Central Station,' Dutch police said on Twitter.

However, police shortly afterwards issued an update to say there was 'no talk' of a complete evacuation and only two platforms had been closed off to passengers.

The two knife victims have been transferred to hospital while the suspect has been arrested and taken for treatment.

Around 250,000 people travel through Central Station every day, according to statistics provided by the Amsterdam.info travel guide. There are regular trains linking it to the city's Schiphol Airport.

Friday is one of the busiest days of the week, with many tourists arriving for the weekend.</s>Dutch police have shot and injured a suspect following a stabbing at Amsterdam's busy central railway station.

Police said two people were injured in the stabbing at Centraal Station, and a tunnel under the tracks was closed following the incident.

The stabbing victims and the suspect were taken to hospital.

The motive for the stabbing is not clear. It is not known if it was terror-related.

The station was not evacuated.

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Two U.S. citizens are seriously wounded after a knife attack in Amsterdam Centraal station. The attacker was shot and wounded by the police.