Rotterdam shootings: Several killed in twin shootings by same suspect; gunman arrested

PTC News Desk: Several people have been killed after twin shootings in Rotterdam on Thursday, police said.

A gunman wearing battle gear opened fire in a flat in the Dutch city before storming into a nearby medical centre. Fires broke out in both locations but were quickly put out.

"The two shooting incidents in Rotterdam have resulted in fatalities. We will first inform family and relatives and will explain more later," the city police said.

Authorities said elite police teams rushed to the hospital in the Dutch city in search of the suspect, who was equipped with a handgun.

According to local news agency ANP, the suspect is 32, and the motivation for the attack is unknown. According to authorities, he is accused of carrying out both shootings, and there is no second gunman.

Images from the scene showed people, including medics and patients, running out of the hospital as police in body armour stepped in. Police helicopters circled overhead.

Patients were taken out on stretchers and wheelchairs by medics in white coats.

Police had previously stated that the suspect was dressed in "combat-style" clothes, was tall, had black hair, and was carrying a backpack.

"First there was a shooting on the fourth floor. Four or five shots were fired. Then a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the education centre," a medical student who did not wish to be named was quoted as saying by RTL Nieuws.

"There was a lot of panic and screaming... I didn't hear any shots, just the panic and that's what I started to act on," another eyewitness said, according to public broadcaster NOS.

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