Several people taken hostage in cafe in Dutch town Ede

Several special police units had been deployed to the scene, a building in the centre of town, police said in a statement posted on social media. They added that 150 homes had been evacuated and the public was asked to stay away from the area.

"Stay inside and don't come to watch," the police wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

People were taken hostage at the Petticoat bar early Saturday by a man with weapons and explosives, national newspaper de Telegraaf reported, citing several anonymous sources.

ANP news agency reported the cafe was located on Nieuwe Stationsstraat.

Ede is a rural market town located 85km southeast of Amsterdam

Agencies