Utrecht tram shooting: 3 dead, several injured as gunman opens fire in Dutch city

A gunman opened fire on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday, killing at least three people and wounding several in what officials said was a possible terrorist incident.

Several people were wounded in a shooting on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday. Photo: AFP

Utrecht (Netherlands): At least three people were killed and multiple injured in a shooting on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday, in what officials said was a possible terrorist incident. The incident unfolded on or near a tram, CNN quoted Joost Lanshage, spokesman for the police in central Holland, as saying. The police also confirmed on Twitter that the incident took place at the 24th of October Square, which has been closed off. The shooting was reported at around 10.45 a.m. The police and emergency responders were attending the scene. "A shooting occurred on the 24 Oktoberplein in Utrecht... Multiple people have been injured. The surrounding area has been cordoned off and we are investigating the matter," Utrecht police said on Twitter. "It is a shooting incident in a tram. Several trauma helicopters have been deployed to provide help." Local media showed photographs of masked, armed police and emergency vehicles surrounding a tram that had stopped near a road bridge. Tram traffic in the area was halted, operator Qbuzz was quoted as saying by the ANP news agency. The police suspect a 'possible terrorist motive' in the shooting. "The police is investigating the shooting at the #24oktoberplein in Utrecht this morning. An possible terrorist motif is part of the investigation," the Utrecht police tweeted. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the situation “very worrying” and the country’s counterterror coordinator said in a tweet that a crisis team was meeting to discuss the situation. There have been no reports yet of any suspects arrested. The shooter is on the run, the police said.