Graffiti vandals stop Amsterdam metro with passengers still inside

A group of about 20 people stopped an Amsterdam metro and covered it in graffiti on Saturday evening.

The incident happened at Henk Sneevlietweg station in the city’s Nieuw-West district, with passengers still inside.

A bicycle thrown onto the tracks prevented the driver from moving the train, and footage suggests passengers could not get out because the doors were held shut.

The masked vandals sprayed the carriage, including the windows by the driver, and the train could not continue its journey.

The transit operator called the incident serious vandalism that put passengers and staff at risk.

GVB helped passengers leave, cleaned the train on Monday and has returned it to service.

GVB plans to seek reimbursement and will give saved footage to police, but those responsible have not been identified.