Explosion in Amsterdam: Police Suspect Preparation of ATM Bombing Attack in Germany

Around 400 residents of the housing complex had to leave their apartments during the night and were accommodated elsewhere. Rescue services and the fire department deployed with a large-scale operation to extinguish smoldering hotspots and secure the partially collapsed sections of the building. Police cordoned off the area over a wide perimeter.

Trail Leads to Germany

According to the daily newspapers Het Parool and De Telegraaf, which cite information from the fire department and residents, a group of young men is said to have manufactured explosive devices in the cellar rooms of the building — devices of the type used for blowing up ATMs. Specifically, the preparation of a corresponding robbery in Germany is said to have been the focus. This brings into focus an investigative line that has existed for years, in which a group based in the Netherlands is held responsible for a series of ATM bombings in Germany.

Police arrested three people in connection with the explosion. Investigators are examining whether criminals triggered the explosion themselves through handling the explosives. Following the completion of search operations, there are no indications of further people buried under the debris.

Mayor Criticizes 'asocial' Approach

Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema described the suspected manufacturing of explosive devices in the middle of a residential area as 'asozial' in a conversation with broadcaster NOS. She spoke of a 'gigantic' problem when preparations for explosive attacks take place in residential neighborhoods. 'Wir versuchen, diejenigen aufzuspüren, die die Sprengsätze herstellen und platzieren', Halsema told broadcaster NOS.

Halsema also expressed doubts about the flow of information from the security authorities. Since residents apparently knew about it, the question arises as to whether the police were aware of this, she said. This puts the city administration under pressure over possibly having taken up potential tips from the neighborhood earlier.

Bombing Attacks as a Recurring Phenomenon

Independently of the current incident, bombing attacks occur regularly in the criminal milieu, directed at apartments and commercial buildings. Just in recent years, repeated detonations at residential houses and business buildings in the Netherlands and also in Germany have caused a stir. The case in Amsterdam makes clear that the preparation of such acts apparently can take place not only in remote locations but also in the middle of residential neighborhoods.

Investigations and Situation of the Residents

The backgrounds of the group, the specific timing of the planned robbery in Germany, and possible links to earlier acts are the subject of the ongoing investigations. Police announced further questioning of residents in order to reconstruct the extent of the activities in the apartment block. Whether further arrests are imminent initially remained open.

For the affected residents, it remains unclear for the time being when they will be able to return to their apartments. According to the fire department, the extent of damage to the annex building is considerable; after initial assessments, the main section of the apartment block was classified as habitable. The city and aid organizations set up emergency shelters and a contact point for those affected.