AMSTERDAM (FN) — Two people were killed in separate fireworks accidents in the Netherlands, and a massive blaze gutted Amsterdam’s historic Vondelkerk church as the country rang in the New Year with tragedy, chaos, and unprecedented violence against emergency services.
Fireworks Accidents in Nijmegen and Aalsmeer
- A 17‑year‑old boy in Nijmegen and a 38‑year‑old man in Aalsmeer died shortly after midnight in incidents involving consumer fireworks.
- Dozens more were injured nationwide, including children treated for eye damage at Rotterdam’s eye hospital.
- These accidents highlight the dangers of consumer fireworks in the Netherlands, a tradition under growing scrutiny.
Dutch Police Response to New Year’s Eve Violence
- Authorities reported 250 arrests across the Netherlands as riot police faced “unprecedented violence.”
- Officers and firefighters were attacked with fireworks, paving stones, and Molotov cocktails in several cities.
- Rotterdam alone logged more than 1,600 emergency calls, overwhelming emergency services.
- Police unions described the night as “horrific,” with nearly all riot police units deployed nationwide.
Amsterdam Vondelkerk Fire Destroys Historic Landmark
- Flames tore through the Vondelkerk, a 19th‑century Neo‑Gothic church near Vondelpark.
- The church’s 50‑meter tower collapsed as firefighters battled the inferno.
- Dozens of nearby homes were evacuated, and electricity was cut to about 90 residences.
- Built in 1872 by architect P.J.H. Cuypers, the Vondelkerk was once a Catholic church and later a cultural center.
- Preservationists called the fire a devastating loss for Amsterdam’s heritage.
Netherlands Fireworks Tradition and Upcoming Ban
- Fireworks on New Year’s Eve (Oudejaarsavond) are a long‑standing Dutch tradition rooted in midwinter rituals.
- The 2000 Enschede fireworks disaster, which killed 23 people, remains a grim reminder of the risks.
- Government ministers confirmed that 2026 will be the final year before a nationwide ban on all but the lightest consumer fireworks.
- Officials said the combination of deaths, mass arrests, and the destruction of Vondelkerk underscored the urgency of stricter rules.
Global Context
- The Netherlands joins countries like Germany and Belgium, which have tightened restrictions on consumer fireworks.
- The destruction of Vondelkerk resonates internationally, as Cuypers’ architecture is recognized worldwide.
- The violence against emergency services reflects a growing challenge in managing large public celebrations globally.
