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Violent New Year's Eve in the Netherlands: attacks on police, fireworks casualties and a fire in a historic church
New Year's Eve celebrations in the Netherlands were marred by an unprecedented wave of violence, forcing Dutch police to deal with serious incidents in several cities across the country. According to authorities, officers and firefighters were attacked with fireworks and explosive devices, while numerous clashes were recorded in the early hours of the new year.
In Amsterdam, a major fire has engulfed the historic Vondelkerk church, built in 1872 and located near the Vondelpark, according to BBC reports. The flames erupted in the early hours of New Year's Day, causing the collapse of the 50-meter-high tower and serious damage to the roof. Authorities say that despite the severe damage, the main structure of the church is expected to remain intact.
The death toll in the Netherlands includes two people who lost their lives in fireworks incidents: a 17-year-old from Nijmegen and a 38-year-old man from Aalsmeer. Meanwhile, in Rotterdam, the eye hospital treated 14 people with serious eye injuries, including 10 minors, and two patients underwent surgery.
Tragic events were also recorded in Germany, where Bielefeld police confirmed that two 18-year-olds lost their lives after using homemade fireworks.
In the southern Dutch city of Breda, police officers were attacked with Molotov cocktails. The head of the Police Union, Nine Kooiman, said she herself had been hit with fireworks and explosive devices while on duty in Amsterdam, describing the situation as extremely violent and unprecedented.
According to the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association, spending on fireworks this year reached a record 129 million euros. Dutch authorities have announced that a ban on unofficial fireworks is expected to come into effect in 2026, following growing pressure for stricter safety measures.
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