A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with the explosion at an office building in Amsterdam. He is suspected of involvement in a terrorist bombing. Police are still searching for a second suspect.

An explosion occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on March 16 in an office building located in the Amsterdam Zuid district, which includes the Atrium complex, home to several international companies. The blast, which impacted the entrance’s revolving door, ignited a fire that a security guard managed to extinguish quickly. Although there were no reports of injuries, the building sustained significant damage.

A rendőrség egyértelműen „terrorista szándékúnak” minősítette az esetet (Fotó: AFP)

According to authorities, two suspects approached on a fatbike, with the passenger—an arrested teenager—dismounting to plant explosives at the entrance before detonating them. The pair then fled towards Amsterdam Zuid station, while the cyclist escaped on the bike. Both were dressed in black, as reported by NL Times.

The police have classified the incident as having „terrorist intent.”

An Islamic group identifying itself as Ashab al-Yamin claimed responsibility for the explosion on social media, including posts on the X platform. In their statements, the group indicated that their target was the Bank of New York Mellon.

The group also mentioned that they had targeted a synagogue in Liège, a Jewish school in Amsterdam, and another synagogue in Rotterdam.

Authorities have yet to determine the group’s structure or the role played by the suspect, if any.

The investigation is ongoing, with the police sharing limited information, according to Dutch news outlet RTL. Officers are still searching for the second suspect, potential witnesses, and relevant footage, while the exact role of the boy and any possible accomplices remains unclear.

Politie arresteert 17-jarige jongen uit Uithoorn vanwege explosie op Zuidas, vermoedt terroristisch motief https://t.co/TNQ1osfNC3

— NRC (@nrc) April 24, 2026

As the search for the second fatbike rider continues, prosecutors announced on March 23 that two boys, aged 14 and 17, had already been arrested in Heemstede on suspicion of planning a similar terrorist attack.

https://t.co/kctpEcnFIr: Jongen (17) opgepakt voor explosie Zuidas Amsterdam

— jacqueline (@Jacqueline46140) April 24, 2026