Overview
- Officers in Sint‑Michielsgestel found 1,045 kilograms of fireworks, including illegal stock, in a parked van and opened an investigation while appealing for witnesses.
- Health officials at the Red Cross warned of more and more severe New Year injuries, stressing that the worst cases often involve illegal or modified fireworks.
- Retailers report heavier traffic and larger orders in the final sales window, citing the ‘Veilige jaarwisseling’ law adopted in parliament and an expected consumer‑fireworks ban next year.
- A 17‑year‑old boy and a 15‑year‑old girl were critically hurt in a Den Bosch collision; the driver was arrested as police conduct extensive forensics to determine the cause.
- Overnight saw multiple vehicle fires under investigation in Utrecht, Zeist and Dordrecht, plus local utility failures such as burst water mains and outages, while a cannabis grow in Achter‑Drempt led to a three‑month property closure.