Bomb alert on Amsterdam Dam Square

The department store De Bijenkorf and Dam Square have been evacuated after a bomb alert.

First, the department store de Bijenkorf (where the bomb threat came in) was evacuated around 3.30pm. Then, the evacuation zone was expanded by the police to cover the whole of Dam Square and parts of the streets Rokin, Damrak and Damstraat, and some other streets.

There is a lot of police present, and there is a police helicopter flying above the city centre.

Traffic and trams on Dam Square is being diverted.
Most buildings around Dam Square have now been evacuated. A bomb squad has been sent in, as well as a number of ambulances.

It is unclear whether a bomb has been found. Police say they expanded the evacuation zone for logistical reasons.

More will follow.

6.30pm: the environment of the Bijenkorf department store has been released again. The Bijenkorf itself is still closed for the public, as investigations are still going on.

8pm: The police report that no bomb has been found. All areas are open again for the public.