Utrecht siege LIVE: Armed police surround building in gunman hunt after 'terror attack'
ARMED police have surrounded a building in the Dutch city of Utrecht just hours after a mass shooting on a tram.
The siege is underway following the shocking incident at the university town. The country's head of counter-terrorism said the shooting "appears to be a terrorist attack". One person has died after the tram attack and at least six more have been injured.
Police had earlier said the gunman was at large as Dutch officials raised the terror threat to the highest level in the area.
Schools have been shut and armed police have stepped up security at airports and mosques.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte has spoken out to say he was deeply concerned about the incident, which comes after a lone gunman killed 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
UTRECHT LIVE UPDATES: Gunman on RUN after mass shooting on tram
Dutch counter-terror chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg told a press conference shootings have taken place in "several" locations in Utrecht and added the tram killing "appears to be a terror attack".
He added the suspected gunman is a known fugitive.
The police in Amsterdam is also on red alert.
A police spokesman said: ”We are in contact with our colleagues in Utrecht.”
Increased vigilance is also in place at Schipol airport and in Rotterdam. There is also extra supervision at stations and mosques.
Police said The October 21st square, a tram station stop just outside the town centre has been cordoned off.
Emergency services are at the scene.
Reuters said Utrecht is the Netherlands' fourth biggest city.
Photos and footage show a large number of armed police surrounding the building in the university city.