Chaos erupted across the Netherlands during New Year celebrations as two people were killed by fireworks, police faced “unprecedented” violence and a devastating fire ripped through a historic Amsterdam church.
A 17-year-old boy from Nijmegen and a 38-year-old man from Aalsmeer died in separate fireworks incidents, while three other people were left seriously injured.
A suspect in connection with the teenager’s death, although authorities have not released any details and said the investigation is ongoing.
Dutch Police Union chief Nine Kooiman described “an unprecedented amount of violence against police and emergency services” over New Year’s Eve.
Kooiman experiences the aggression first-hand and was hit three times by fireworks while on duty in the capital.
Such was the chaos that officials were even forced to put out a rare nationwide mobile phone alert urging people to only call emergency services unless their lives were in danger.
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Attacks against police and firefighters were reported across the country, including a shocking incident in the southern city of Breda where cops were attacked with petrol bombs.
In Amsterdam, the night’s destruction culminated in a towering inferno at the famous Vondelkerk church in the early hours of the morning.
The church, a prominent landmark overlooking one of the city’s most popular parks, dates back to 1880.
Flames tore through the iconic church, collapsing its 164ft tower and causing severe damage to the roof.
Amsterdam authorities said the main structure was expected to remain intact.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, though local media reported it was suspected the church may have been hit by fireworks.
Dozens of nearby homes were evacuated as the blaze sent showers of cinders onto surrounding properties.
Other residents were left without power so firefighters could safely tackle the flames in the listed building, which in recent years has been used as a cultural centre and concert venue.
Hospitals across the country also reported a surge in injuries linked to fireworks. Rotterdam’s specialist eye hospital said it had treated a large number of young patients, with one doctor reporting that 85 per cent were minors.
Most had been watching fireworks when they were injured, according to Dutch News, and two required surgery.
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