Unprecedented New Year's Eve Violence in the Netherlands with Fires and Fatalities
Unprecedented violence occurred on New Year's Eve across the Netherlands, with Dutch police being pelted with fireworks and explosives. Nine Kooiman, head of the Dutch Police Union, reported experiencing attacks during her Amsterdam shift and described the level of violence as unprecedented.
On New Year's Day, the 19th-century Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam was engulfed in fire, causing its 50-metre tower to collapse and significant roof damage. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the main structure of the church is expected to remain intact.
In Rotterdam, tragic incidents involving fireworks resulted in the deaths of a 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man. The city's eye hospital treated 14 patients for eye injuries, including 10 minors, with two requiring surgeries.
Additional unrest included petrol bombs being thrown at police in Breda and clashes between groups in The Hague's Transvaal district.
Despite these incidents, a ban on unofficial fireworks is set to take effect in 2026. This year saw a record €129 million (£112 million) spent on fireworks across the country.
