One person has been killed and another injured in a fatal stabbing incident close to Rotterdam’s Erasmus bridge on Thursday evening.

The first person was attacked in the car park beneath the bridge and the second, who died of his injuries, was attacked outside.

Eyewitnesses told the police that the suspect had shouted “Allah akbar” as he stabbed the second victim but this has not been confirmed. They also said the man appeared to be determined to attack more people.

A personal trainer, who was giving a lesson under the bridge, described the chaotic scene as the suspect tried to get into a nearby cafe.

“I saw him stabbing a young lad with two long knives… and I ran at him using a stick I use for lessons,” said Reniël. “I broke it in two and began to run and scream at him,” he said. “People were keeping him out of the cafe with chairs and I was able to hit him a couple of times.”

Rotterdam police are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.