Heavily armed police cordoned off the area in a Dutch town and several people were taken hostage.

Local media reported that a man entered a nightclub in Eder early in the morning and threatened to blow himself up.

Police said three hostages have been released, but the situation continues.

Earlier, police spokesman Simon Klock said people were being held hostage in Ede, but declined to give further details of the incident or how many people were involved.

“There is currently no indication of a terrorist motive,” police said in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

According to witnesses at the scene, the hostages were being held at Cafe Petticoat, a popular bar and nightclub.

Police evacuated 150 homes near the central square, saying people in the area “may pose a danger to themselves or others.”

A reporter from broadcaster NOS said there were remote-controlled robots, explosion-proof devices and police officers wearing protective gear.

Live images from the rural market town of Ede, 53 miles southeast of Amsterdam, showed police and firefighters on the streets of the cordoned off area.

The city government said all shops in the city center of Ede will remain closed.

(This story is being updated)