A 53-year-old teacher was seriously hurt after being stabbed at the performance of a school musical in the Dutch town of Alblasserdam on Wednesday evening.

According to Dutch police, the teacher was stabbed while intervening in a fight between three men inside a cultural centre hosting the event.

According to a report in Associated Press, the attack was witnessed by several people, including children and parents attending the final-year school performance. Police affirmed that emotional counselling was provided to the witnesses of the horrific act as soon as possible. Police said that emotional counselling was provided to witnesses of the shocking attack.

Shortly after the stabbing, a 44-year-old suspect was arrested near the cultural centre. Later, two more men connected to the altercation arrived at a hospital in Rotterdam. One of them, who had sustained unspecified injuries, was arrested at the hospital. The other initially fled but was later apprehended.

The motive behind the altercation remains unclear. Authorities are investigating all three suspects for their involvement. Their identities have not been released, in accordance with Dutch privacy laws.

Police have also seized two vehicles believed to belong to the suspects. The cultural centre in Alblasserdam, known for hosting community events such as end-of-year school performances, is a well-loved venue in the town.

Alblasserdam, located in South Holland, is known for its proximity to the UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk windmills. The attack has deeply shocked the close-knit community, especially since school shows like this are a long-standing tradition before the summer holidays.

– Ends