A massive fire ravaged the Vondelkerk, a 19th-century church near Vondel Park in Amsterdam, shortly after midnight during New Year’s celebrations. Authorities confirmed on Thursday (1) that the 154-year-old building “cannot be saved”. The fire destroyed parts of the tower and roof, forced evacuations and left about 90 homes without power as firefighters battled the flames.
The causes of the fire are still unknown. The Vondelkerk, opened in 1872, is considered a tourist attraction in the city.
While the fire mobilized emergency teams, the Netherlands faces a new year marked by violence. According to Nine Kooiman, president of the police union, there have been an “unprecedented number of attacks on police officers and emergency services.” She said she was targeted with fireworks and explosives three times while on duty in Amsterdam.
Shortly after midnight, authorities issued a nationwide mobile phone alert asking people to only call emergency services if there was a risk to their lives due to overload. In Breda, in the south of the country, individuals even threw Molotov cocktails at the police.
Fireworks-related deaths and injuries
Two people died in fireworks-related accidents: a 17-year-old man and a 38-year-old man. Three others were seriously injured.
It was the last New Year’s Eve before the expected ban on festive explosives, leading the Dutch to buy large quantities of the product. The Dutch Pyrotechnics Association estimates a record spending of 129 million euros (around 834 million reais) on fireworks for New Year’s Eve 2026.
Belgium also records riots
In Belgium, New Year’s Eve was also eventful. In Brussels, 70 people were arrested after shootings against police officers. In Antwerp, more than 100 people, including many minors, were arrested for throwing fireworks at police officers. The police responded with tear gas. A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured.
With agencies
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