SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – There were a number of minor incidents during the New Year celebrations in the Netherlands and a 14-year-old boy from Rotterdam was killed earlier in the evening, reportedly while trying to relight an illegal cobra firework, officials said on Wednesday morning.

Riot police were forced to intervene in several places and dozens of cars were set on fire, 20 of which were in Utrecht, according to local media reports. Police will publish arrest figures later in the day.

By 7.30 am, 17 patients had been treated at Rotterdam’s specialist eye hospital, around half of whom were minors. Doctor Tjeerd de Faber said the situation was similar to last year and again called for a national firework ban.

Hospitals were also busy dealing with injuries but were surprised by the large number of under-16s being admitted with alcohol poisoning, hospital association chairwoman Yara Basta told broadcaster NOS. According to the Telegraaf, some of them were involved in fatbike accidents.

In the Brabant village of Veen a police car was set on fire and riot police were drafted in to restore order. Veen is often a trouble spot at New Year.

Police were also brought in to deal with large groups of youngsters causing problems in Markelo in Overijssel and in Hoogkerk in Groningen, as well as Sint Annaparochie and Marrum in Friesland.

As every year, the firework ban – now extended to 19 towns and cities – was widely ignored. Most local police forces had said stopping people setting off their own fireworks would not be a priority.

In Rotterdam ambulances were called out 250 times, treating both firework victims and people who had been injured in a fight, as well as people who were drunk or under the influence of drugs.

The port city’s fire brigade received 928 reports of fires, far more than last year, and 51 car fires had to be extinguished. There were 14 fires in buildings, mainly in sheds and storage areas, the Telegraaf said.

In Utrecht, riot police were brought in to quell trouble in the Overvecht and Kanaleneiland districts, where emergency service workers were pelted with fireworks. At least 13 people were arrested.

Car fires

City council officials said the trouble was the exception and in most places the celebrations passed off peacefully. However, the fire brigade had to deal with 38 car fires involving 43 vehicles, well up on previous years.

In The Hague, hospital chiefs said they had been extremely busy and 12 people were brought in with firework injuries, eight of whom were under the age of 18.

In Groningen, 18 people were treated in A&E, 10 of whom had alcohol poisoning. The city’s burns unit had 11 patients, two of whom required surgery. Four of the patients were under the age of 15.

More to follow

(DutchNews)

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is urging all residents and visitors to prioritize safety and responsibility during the upcoming New Year celebrations. Recent incidents involving the reckless misuse of fireworks have raised serious concerns for public safety.

KPSM has observed troubling reports and social media posts showing individuals directing fireworks at passing cars, people, and buildings. These actions pose significant risks to lives, property, and public order. The police strongly condemn such behavior and remind the community that fireworks should be used responsibly to avoid unnecessary harm.

To maintain safety during the festivities, KPSM is calling on the public to report any dangerous or illegal situations involving fireworks. Witnesses can contact the police by calling +1 721-542-2222 or dialing 911. Public cooperation is vital in addressing reckless behavior and ensuring a safe environment for everyone.

Parents and guardians play a critical role in this regard. KPSM stresses the importance of supervising children and teenagers during the handling of fireworks. Parents are encouraged to:

• Educate children on the safe use of fireworks.
• Monitor their activities to prevent harm to themselves or others.
• Discourage any behaviors that could result in accidents or property damage.

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SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – Traffic congestion in the Netherlands rose 8% last year, according to new figures from motoring organisation ANWB, based on information from TomTom satnav systems.

There was less congestion (length of jam x duration) in the first six months of the year, but in the second half “considerably more”, the ANWB said. Congestion was noticeably worse outside rush hours and there was a 45% increase in the number of weekend jams.

The worst traffic jam black spot was the A27 between Utrecht and Breda, followed by the A4 between The Hague Zuid and the Kethel tunnel, and the A2 heading to Kerkdriel from Den Bosch.

There were also more jams on provincial roads – particularly in Zuid-Holland where congestion rose 3%. Much of the regional traffic was down to diversions, the ANWB said.

Improvement work on the N206 near Leiden and A44 by Wassenaar led to a reduction in congestion, as did the opening of the southern stretch of the Groningen ring road in September.

(DutchNews)