The New Year celebrations in the Netherlands took a tragic turn, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, escalated violence against law enforcement, and the destruction of a historic 19th-century church in Amsterdam.
A 17-year-old boy from Nijmegen and a 38-year-old man from Aalsmeer lost their lives due to fireworks-related incidents, while three others sustained serious injuries.
Authorities have detained one individual in connection with the teenager’s death; however, details about the suspect remain undisclosed as the investigation continues.
In the early hours of Thursday, chaotic scenes unfolded as hooded rioters clashed with police, launching fireworks at buildings and creating havoc on the streets.
Reflecting on the turbulent night, Nine Kooiman, head of the Dutch Police Union, highlighted an ‘unprecedented amount of violence against police and emergency services’ during New Year’s Eve.
Kooiman shared that while on duty in Amsterdam, she personally experienced three separate attacks involving fireworks and other explosive devices.
Shortly after midnight, authorities released a rare country-wide alert on mobile phones warning people not to call overwhelmed emergency services unless lives were at risk.
Reports of attacks against police and firefighters were widespread across the country. In the southern city of Breda, people threw petrol bombs at police.
A tram stop is blown up with a makeshift explosive device as groups of residents from neighboring streets clash using fireworks in the Transvaal district on January 1, 2026 in The Hague
Groups of residents from neighboring streets clash using fireworks
People look at the tower of the Vondelkerk church on fire during New Year’s Eve, in Amsterdam on January 1, 2026
Police intervenes at Dam Square during New Year’s Eve celebrations after disturbances broke out involving groups of youths setting off fireworks indiscriminately in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, a huge inferno broke out in the early hours at the Vondelkerk Church, a tourist attraction that has overlooked one of the city’s top parks since 1872.
The 164ft tower collapsed and the roof was badly damaged but the structure was expected to remain intact, Amsterdam authorities said.
The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear.
Dozens of homes had to be evacuated because of the fire, which sent showers of cinders on to nearby properties.
Others were left without power to allow fire officers to tackle the fire in the listed building, which is now used as a cultural centre.
Rotterdam’s specialist eye hospital reported a large number of young patients this year with one doctor saying 85 per cent of the patients were minors.
Most had been watching fireworks when they were injured, according to Dutch News, and two received surgery.
The Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven described it as ‘an incredibly busy and intense night.’ Haaglanden MC in The Hague, one of the largest emergency departments in the country, also treated ‘more patients due to fireworks than in previous years.’
The Haga Hospital treated 65 injured people at its locations in The Hague and Zoetermeer.
Thirty patients were admitted to the emergency room at Catharina Hospital.
Four teenagers lost parts of their fingers and several people had fallen off their bikes intoxicated and been victims of violence.
The 164ft tower collapsed and the roof was badly damaged but the structure was expected to remain intact, Amsterdam authorities said
Flames and smoke rise from a fire at Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 1, 2026
Locals and police watched on as the 19th century church erupted in flames
Police intervenes during New Year’s Eve celebrations at Dam Square after disturbances broke out involving groups of youths setting off fireworks indiscriminately in Amsterdam
Special police units were deployed amid rising tensions as authorities worked to contain the unrest and prevent further escalation during the holiday celebrations
A man, aged 32, and a woman, aged 29, from Germany were also arrested at around midnight in Beverwijk after shots were fired in the air at a party on Wijkermeerweg.
Two firearms used to fire blanks were found in the couple’s car. Police also found blank rounds and a Taser in the vehicle. The pair remain in custody.
It was the last year before an expected ban on unofficial fireworks, so the Dutch bought them in massive quantities.
In July, the Dutch Senate passed a nationwide ban on owning, selling, and using fireworks.
Only the lightest types of fireworks, including sparklers and party poppers, will remain permitted.
According to the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association, revellers splashed out a record 129 million euros on fireworks.
Some areas had been designated firework-free zones, but this appeared to have little effect.
