Man opens fire on passengers in Netherlands tram attack

At least one person is feared dead and several more are injured after a shooting on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht.

Police in the Netherlands confirmed they were investigating a "possible terrorist motive" and the perpetrator is believed to have fled the scene. Reports suggested police were hunting more than one suspect.

Three air ambulances were dispatched to treat the injured and armed police were at the scene shortly after the shooting at 10.45am.

Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, said he was "deeply concerned" about the incident and the government will hold crisis talks. Schools in the city were instructed to keep their doors closed as the manhunt continued.

Security has reportedly been increased at the seat of the government in The Hague.

Local broadcaster RTV Utrecht quoted an eyewitness as saying he had seen a woman lying on the ground amid some kind of confrontation. Several men ran away from the scene, the witness said.

Yelle Tieleman, a reporter for the Dutch newspaper AD who was at the scene, said paramedics were attempting to resuscitate a victim close to the tram.

One woman was shot in the chest, reports said. It was not immediately clear how many others were injured, or the extent of their injuries.

A reporter for Dutch national broadcaster NOS said a white sheet had been placed over a body near the tram where the shooting took place.

The incident took place close to the city's 24 Oktoberplein, a tram stop outside the city centre.

Utrecht Police said in a statement: "A shooting occurred on the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht.

"The incident has been reported at 10.45am. Multiple people have been injured.

"The surrounding area has been cordoned off and we are investigating the matter."

They added: "A possible terrorist motive is part of the investigation."

Utrecht, the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a large student population, is around 20 minutes south of Amsterdam by train.

Source: The Independent