Is it a warzone? Is the Dutch public overthrowing the government? Nee hoor, it’s just the Netherlands rioting its way into 2026.
This New Year’s Eve was truly a night of unprecedented violence, with multiple reports of fires, riots, and firework accidents flooding the emergency hotline.
Dutch police were even forced to send out an NL-Alert to try and stem the flow, warning potential callers to only ring 112 in “life-threatening situations.” 👇
But clogged phone lines were just the tip of the chaotic (and violent) iceberg.
Several die in fireworks-related accidents, others hospitalised
At least two deaths have been reported in relation to fireworks accidents.
The first, a minor from Nijmegen, was killed at around 12:30 AM in the Meeuwse Acker. A second death followed at around 2:15 AM, with a 38-year-old Aalsmeer native succumbing to his injuries.
Three others from Gelderland and North Holland were seriously injured by fireworks, reports NU.nl.
Meanwhile, at least fourteen individuals have been admitted to the Rotterdam Eye Hospital with fireworks-related eye injuries. This number is expected to rise.
Riots erupt as police pelted by Molotov cocktails
In a thread on X, Breda’s police department reported “multiple cars on fire” in the Tuinzigt neighbourhood, with officers hit by “molotov cocktails and sidewalk tiles.”
At least five people have now been arrested.
The Netherlands lights up with multiple fires
Just a little before 1 AM this morning, a blaze ignited at the Vondelkerk in Amsterdam.
According to the NOS, the inferno “almost completely destroyed” the historic church, and the risk of flaming debris spreading the fire led to nearby homes being evacuated.
While it’s speculated that fireworks were deliberately launched into the church tower, the fire department has yet to verify this.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 1, 2026
The tower of the neo-Gothic Vondelkerk Church in Amsterdam has collapsed aftera fire engulfed the church just after midnight.
It’s believed that youth gangs with fireworks are behind the blaze.
🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/cTKOlfNluY
Far up in the north, Groningen’s Bedum sports hall also went up in flames, spewing deadly asbestos particles into the air.
As reported by RTV Noord, the complex is now considered a “total loss” due to the fire, and a specialised company has been called in to monitor the spread of asbestos.
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How sad that so many people are not civilized. I’m very happy that fireworks are banned in 2026. Anyone caught willfully destroying property needs to be thrown in prison or into the North Sea off a plank, blindfolded and hands tied. Just like the old days.
The Vondelkerk is in my neighborhood. I walked past it two days ago. It’s a tragedy! Deaths? Dump this part of Nederland ‘culture’ – the need to blow things up on New Year’s Eve. I’m going to.
Very sad! That’s not how I remember my Home Country!
Not how I remember my home country .unacceptable..behavior.stop it .
Such a shame that a peaceful country has been ravaged by such violence and crime.
I hope the culprits are found and punished.
I would like to know who was doing all the rioting and the fireworks attacks everywhere, where they Muslims?