Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Ter Apel Exceeds 2,000 Cap Again as Fines Near €2.25 Million

A renewed weekend surge ended a two-week lull to reach the highest occupancy since 12 November.

Overview

  • Headcounts reached 2,035 on Friday night, 2,061 on Saturday night, and 2,076 on Sunday night at the Ter Apel registration center.
  • Under the COA–Westerwolde arrangement, each day above the 2,000 limit incurs a €50,000 penalty capped at a cumulative €5 million.
  • The over-the-limit streak ends roughly two weeks during which the center stayed under the court- and municipality-set maximum.
  • Since early September the site has been over capacity on 45 of more than 90 days, according to local reporting.
  • Pressure stems from too few places in regular asylum centers, limited municipal emergency shelter, and housing shortages that keep recognized refugees from moving out.