A devastating wave of violence and destruction swept across the Netherlands as the country welcomed 2026, resulting in multiple fatalities, widespread injuries, and the near-total destruction of a historic Amsterdam church.
Unprecedented Violence Targets Emergency Services
The New Year's period was marred by what police chiefs described as "unprecedented" aggression directed at police, firefighters, and ambulance crews. Nine Koiiman, head of the Dutch Police Union, reported being among officers pelted with fireworks while on duty in Amsterdam. The chaos stretched emergency resources to their absolute limit.
Wilbert Paulissen, Chief Commissioner of the East Brabant Regional Police Unit, revealed the scale of the deployment. "By mid-evening, the Mobile Unit had to intervene in many places. Almost all available riot police officers we have in the Netherlands were on duty," he stated, calling it a "truly maximum deployment that lasted half the night." In the city of Breda, the situation escalated further with assailants throwing petrol bombs at officers.
Fatalities and Historic Landmark Lost in the Chaos
The human cost of the night was severe. A 17-year-old from Nijmegen and a 38-year-old man from Aalsmeer both lost their lives after being struck by fireworks in separate incidents. These tragedies left three other individuals with serious injuries.
Meanwhile, in Rotterdam, 14 people required treatment for eye injuries, including 10 children, following firework-related incidents. The emergency services were inundated, with the Dutch Fire Service receiving a staggering 4,300 calls during what they labelled a "busy, intense" night.
The most visually symbolic loss was the 19th-century Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam. The historic building, which overlooks the city's largest park, was nearly hollowed out by a blaze that erupted amidst the widespread disorder, serving as a stark reminder of the night's chaos.
System Strain and a Tragic Contrast Abroad
The scale of the violence placed an immense burden on the nation's infrastructure. The strain was so severe that residents received an emergency alert just after midnight, advising them only to call emergency services if lives were immediately at risk.
This domestic turmoil unfolded against the backdrop of another horrific New Year's disaster in Europe. In Crans-Montana, Switzerland, a fire at a ski resort bar claimed around 40 lives and injured 115 others. Swiss President Guy Parmelin called it "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced," with King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressing their profound sadness.
The Dutch New Year's chaos occurred as the country prepares for a ban on unofficial fireworks, a law expected to pass later this year. The events of this tragic night are likely to intensify debates around public safety and policing during national celebrations.
