In a disturbing incident of Exploding Car at Dam Square on Thursday shook the heart of Amsterdam, sending shockwaves through the city just days after a mass stabbing near the same location.
The explosion, which occurred right next to the National Monument—a site that often draws large gatherings of both tourists and locals—left only the driver injured. The Dutch authorities believe the man intended to take his own life, and he has since been arrested on suspicion of arson.
A Terrifying Scene in the Heart of the City
It was a typical busy afternoon in Dam Square, a historical and symbolic center of Amsterdam, where people often gather to enjoy the view, snap photos, or rest near the towering National Monument.
But the calm was violently disrupted when a small red car drove into the square and suddenly exploded near a group of onlookers. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a massive bang and seeing flames erupt from the vehicle almost instantly.
From the burning car emerged a man with his clothes on fire, staggering and clearly in distress. Police officers nearby acted quickly to extinguish the flames on his body before taking him into custody.
The man, identified as a 50-year-old Dutch citizen, is now under investigation for suspected arson. He was the only person hurt in the incident, and is currently receiving treatment while in police custody.
According to statements released by the Amsterdam Police Department, investigators are exploring all possible motives behind the explosion, though initial reports suggest the man may have intended to commit suicide.
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Authorities emphasized that while nothing has been ruled out, strong suspicion exists that the explosion was a deliberate act initiated by the driver.
Dam Square, Amsterdam
— Isolated Incidents (@diversity999x) April 3, 2025
An employee of Peek&Cloppenburg, a shop right on the Dam, suspects that it was a suicide attack.
A car drove onto the Dam and turned onto the monument, she says. "Then he got out of the car, he was already completely on fire." It was immediately clear to… pic.twitter.com/EZuun4v9Vi
Videos from bystanders posted on social media show flames engulfing the vehicle and thick smoke rising from the scene as people rushed away in confusion and alarm. The police quickly cordoned off the square while explosives experts examined the wreckage for any additional threats.
A City on Edge After Recent Violence
The explosion came at a time when the city was still reeling from a mass stabbing that took place just days earlier near the same area. In that incident, five people were injured by a man wielding a knife in a random, frenzied attack.
The suspect, later identified as a 30-year-old man from eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, was captured after being tackled and subdued by a British tourist.
The stabbing was confirmed by prosecutors to have been an act with terrorist intent. Among the victims were a 67-year-old American woman, a 69-year-old American man, a 73-year-old woman from Belgium, a 26-year-old man from Poland, and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam.
The shocking attack unfolded over several locations near Dam Square and caused widespread panic. Witnesses described seeing injured people lying on the ground as bystanders ran in different directions, unsure of what was happening.
Adding a glimmer of hope to the otherwise grim narrative was the heroic intervention by a British tourist, who chased the knifeman through narrow alleyways and ultimately pinned him down. His bravery was formally recognized by Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, who awarded him a “hero’s medal” in a public ceremony.
With both incidents occurring within a span of a few days and within close proximity of each other, anxiety among residents and tourists has risen. Though the explosion and the stabbing are believed to be unrelated, the timing and location have led many to feel uneasy in what is normally considered one of Europe’s most vibrant and peaceful public squares.
Community Reactions and Ongoing Investigations
Local residents and tourists present at Dam Square during the explosion expressed shock and concern over the incident. Jim de Jong, owner of a café near the square, told Dutch media that the impact of the explosion was so intense that it “shook the ground” beneath him. He said, “It felt like an earthquake. We didn’t know what was going on—whether it was a terror attack or an accident.”
Other witnesses described the scene as chaotic but not hysterical. “There was panic, but it wasn’t like everyone started running,” one bystander told Het Parool. “It was more confusion than full-blown chaos.”
The vehicle was quickly examined by Amsterdam’s bomb squad, who found no further explosives inside, helping to ease fears of a wider attack. Authorities have continued to stress that the explosion appears to have been an isolated act, potentially driven by personal motives, and not linked to organized terrorism or extremist activity.
As for the suspect, his motivations remain under investigation. He was known to law enforcement but not flagged for any particular danger to the public prior to the explosion. Detectives are examining his background, mental health history, and any possible writings or social media activity that could offer insight into his state of mind.
The city has also ramped up security in public areas, with increased police visibility and patrols around major tourist destinations, including Dam Square. Amsterdam’s leadership has sought to reassure the public that safety is a top priority, even as investigations into both the explosion and the earlier stabbing continue.
Local businesses, meanwhile, are trying to recover from the back-to-back shocks. Some cafés and shops temporarily closed following the explosion, while others reported a noticeable drop in foot traffic due to heightened anxiety among customers.
City officials have urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, encouraging anyone who might have additional footage or information about either incident to come forward.
Despite the back-to-back tragedies, Amsterdam remains a resilient city. Its citizens, many of whom have endured difficult times in the past, have expressed their support for the victims and praised the quick response of emergency services.
There has been an outpouring of solidarity, both online and in local communities, with people laying flowers at the National Monument and participating in impromptu gatherings to promote peace and unity.
The two incidents have sparked a broader discussion about public safety in major tourist hubs, mental health issues, and how communities can come together in the face of senseless violence and trauma. While the investigations are still ongoing, the city’s spirit endures, determined not to let fear overshadow its culture, history, and the values it stands for.
As Amsterdam heals, attention now turns to what lessons can be learned from these events—both in terms of preparedness and in building stronger support systems for those who might be silently struggling.
In a place where millions come each year to find beauty, joy, and inspiration, the message from locals is clear: Dam Square may have burned, but it will not be broken.