What was supposed to be an ordinary Saturday night in the heart of Amsterdam turned into a scene of chaos, screams, and flashing blue lights. Around 3:00 a.m. on the night of Saturday 4 to Sunday 5 October, a violent confrontation erupted at Mercatorplein, leaving three people injured, one of them seriously.

Police describe it as a “savage and unprovoked attack”, involving two suspects armed with knives, who fled the scene in the direction of Hudsonstraat.

🌃 A quiet night turns violent

The night began like many others in Amsterdam-West. The cafés and restaurants surrounding Mercatorplein were closing, and the city’s nightlife was winding down. A 30-year-old man stepped out of a restaurant to pick up his bicycle — a mundane, peaceful moment before heading home.

But within seconds, his night changed forever. According to police reports, two unknown men approached him aggressively. Words were exchanged, then fists flew. In a matter of moments, the victim was punched and stabbed multiple times, collapsing on the pavement as horrified bystanders watched.

Another man, who saw the attack unfold, rushed forward to intervene — only to become the second victim. He too was beaten and stabbed by the same suspects. Moments later, a woman who tried to stop the assault was hit repeatedly before the attackers ran off into the darkness.

🚨 Panic and confusion at the square

Witnesses describe a chaotic scene.

One nearby café worker told reporters:

“We heard shouting, then screaming. When we looked outside, there was blood on the ground, people shouting for help. It was chaos — nobody understood what was happening.”

Within minutes, the square filled with flashing lights as ambulances and police units swarmed the area. Officers found three victims on the scene, bleeding but conscious. They were immediately treated by paramedics and transported to the hospital.

According to authorities, all three are expected to recover physically — though emotionally, the scars may last much longer.

🕵️ Police investigation: suspects still at large

The Amsterdam police have launched a major investigation and are appealing for witnesses. Based on eyewitness statements and early camera footage, two male suspects have been identified as follows:

Suspect NN1

• Male, approximately 30–35 years old

• Height: 195–205 cm (very tall)

• Light-toned skin

• Black, short hair

• Wearing all black clothing

Suspect NN2

• Male, approximately 30–35 years old

• Height: 170–175 cm

• Light-toned skin

• Black, short hair

• Wearing light-colored clothing

After the attack, both suspects were seen running toward Hudsonstraat, a residential area west of the square. Police teams conducted a search throughout the night, but so far, no arrests have been made.

“We are taking this case extremely seriously,” said a police spokesperson.

“Three innocent people were attacked without reason. We urge anyone who saw something — or who has CCTV or doorbell footage — to come forward immediately.”

📹 Appeal to the public

Authorities are asking local residents, businesses, and cyclists who passed through the area between 02:30 and 03:15 a.m. to check their security cameras or dashcams for any footage that might show the suspects before or after the incident.

Reports can be submitted through the police website or via Report Crime Anonymous (Meld Misdaad Anoniem) at 0800-7000, for those who prefer to remain unnamed.

💬 Eyewitness accounts: “It happened so fast”

Several witnesses have described the assault as “sudden, fast, and brutal.”

One man who was walking home from a nearby bar said he saw two tall figures “lurking near the bikes” before the confrontation.

“The first man didn’t even see it coming,” he said. “They went straight for him. It looked like they were angry or high — moving fast, shouting. Then suddenly, there was blood. One guy fell, another tried to help, and then even a woman got hit. It was like something out of a nightmare.”

Another woman who lives on Mercatorplein said she was awakened by screams.

“I thought it was a fight between drunk people, but when I looked out the window, I saw one man on the ground not moving. The police arrived very quickly, but those two were already gone.”

🧩 A neighborhood on edge

Mercatorplein, a lively square known for its restaurants, cafés, and multicultural community, has seen several violent incidents in recent years, including brawls and stabbings linked to nightlife disputes.

Local residents say the area has become increasingly tense at night.

“There’s always noise, but lately there’s more aggression,” said a shop owner nearby.

“People are afraid to walk alone after midnight. We need more police presence — not just after something happens, but before.”

The incident has once again sparked debate about nightlife safety and public surveillance in Amsterdam-West. The city council has been under pressure to install more street cameras and increase patrols in nightlife hotspots.

⚖️ Police: “Unprovoked and unacceptable violence”

Amsterdam Police Commissioner Hendrik van der Veen condemned the attack, calling it “a shocking act of senseless violence.”

“What we are dealing with is unprovoked aggression. Three innocent people were assaulted for no reason. This cannot and will not be tolerated,” he said during a press briefing Sunday afternoon.

Van der Veen confirmed that investigators are working “day and night” to identify the attackers using camera footage from local businesses and transport authorities.

He added:

“The victims are recovering, but they are deeply traumatized. We are offering them and their families support through our victim assistance program.”

🕯️ The aftermath: shock and solidarity

By Sunday evening, flowers and candles had begun to appear near the scene of the stabbing, a quiet symbol of solidarity in the aftermath of a terrifying night. Locals gathered to talk, share information, and comfort one another.

A young woman who knows one of the victims said softly:

“He was just going home. He didn’t deserve this. Nobody does.”

The city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, also expressed concern, emphasizing that “violence of this kind has no place in Amsterdam.”

In a short statement, she said:

“Every resident should feel safe walking home at night. I have asked police to prioritize this investigation and increase visibility in the area.”

🔎 A city’s continuing battle with street violence

The incident at Mercatorplein adds to a troubling pattern of late-night violence in Amsterdam.

According to recent police data, the number of knife-related assaults has risen sharply in 2024–2025, particularly around nightlife districts like Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, and Mercatorplein.

Experts say the increase may be linked to alcohol, drugs, and social tensions.

Criminologist Eva de Jong told Het Parool:

“We see more impulsive aggression, often fueled by alcohol or narcotics. Small arguments escalate quickly, especially in groups of young men under stress or influence.”

🚔 Call for vigilance

For now, the suspects remain on the run, and police are stepping up patrols in the Amsterdam-West district.

Residents are urged to remain alert and report any suspicious behavior.

“Even the smallest detail can be crucial,” said the police spokesperson.

“A camera image, a license plate, or something unusual you noticed — it can all help us bring these perpetrators to justice.”

⚖️ Conclusion

A normal night out — laughter, food, and bicycles — turned into a nightmare that will haunt many in Amsterdam for weeks to come.

Three innocent people are recovering from their injuries, but the fear and unease remain in the community.

The search continues for two men who vanished into the night, leaving behind not just wounded victims, but a city once again asking itself:

How safe are we, really, when the lights of Amsterdam go out?