Overview
- Fire broke out shortly after midnight at the 19th‑century Vondelkerk, collapsing its 50‑metre spire and wrecking the roof, with authorities saying the largely destroyed building’s walls were expected to stand.
- No injuries were reported from the church fire as nearby homes were evacuated, power was cut for safety, and specialized assets including a Dutch navy aerial platform were deployed before the blaze was controlled by morning.
- Police and union officials reported an unprecedented level of attacks on responders during New Year’s celebrations, with roughly 250 arrests and incidents including petrol bombs thrown at officers in Breda.
- Investigators have not determined the cause of the church fire, and officials cautioned that media suggestions of a fireworks link remain unconfirmed.
- Two people died in separate fireworks accidents in Aalsmeer and Nijmegen, hospitals treated multiple serious injuries including eye trauma, and authorities noted record spending of about €129 million on consumer fireworks.