Video: Graffiti sprayers force Amsterdam metro with passengers to halt as they deface it

About 20 graffiti sprayers halted a passenger-filed metro in Amsterdam on October 31, threw a bicycle onto the tracks, and covered the entire train in paint within minutes, according to the city's public transport provider, GVB. The Metro 51 train at the Henk Sneevlietweg platform could not continue its route because a bicycle was thrown onto the tracks, and the driver’s window was also covered with paint.

The GVB described the situation as unnerving, saying that the organization does not know who was responsible for the incident, nor their motive. A GVB spokesperson spoke briefly with NL Times about the incident, saying it involved “graffiti artists; rather, they call themselves 'artists.'"

Video of the incident was uploaded Tuesday evening to the YouTube channel “Locos Worldwide” under the title, “Amsterdam Nightmare.” The footage shows a group of people wearing hoods and face coverings storming the platform, forcing the metro car doors shut, and then quickly defacing the vehicle.

"Graffiti and vandalism are unfortunately occurring more frequently. However, an incident of this magnitude is exceptional," a spokesperson said.

Police and enforcement officers were immediately called in, but the group fled the scene before authorities arrived. "Our driver was deeply shaken by the incident. We can also imagine that this was a frightening situation for passengers," the spokesperson continued.

"This is a serious form of vandalism that has also jeopardized the safety of passengers and employees. Not only was a metro train defaced, but a bicycle was also thrown onto the track. This poses significant safety risks." The GVB filed a report about the crime with local authorities, and secured security camera footage to assist the police investigation.

Anyone arrested as the result of the investigation could also face a demand for compensation from the public transport provider. "We will attempt to recover damages from the perpetrators where possible," the GVB spokesperson said to NL Times.

The metro was taken out of service immediately, causing delays for passengers, the GVB alleged. "Our colleagues must be able to do their work safely, and passengers must be able to travel safely," a spokesperson told city broadcaster AT5. Mechanics arrived that evening to remove the bicycle and to determine whether the track was affected by the impact.

"Our colleagues worked hard on Sunday to thoroughly clean the metro. Thanks to their efforts, the vehicle was already back in service on Monday."

It is at least the second time in five years that video uploaded to Locos Worldwide showed a group working together to quickly deface an Amsterdam metro while it was in service. That happened just before New Year's Eve 2021.

In that video, masked individuals can be seen spray painting a train, but this time with a few unaware passengers inside while the vehicle was at a stop. They also set off fireworks around the metro as it pulled away.