Dutchman sets off illegal fireworks at fair, leaves multiple people with hearing problems

A final encore nobody asked for...

Last night, a man spoiled the closing show of the Weert fair in Limburg by setting off illegal fireworks that left several people with hearing problems — the investigation is ongoing.

A 25-year-old suspect from Sittard-Geelen, also in Limburg, has been arrested, the police report.

A loud bang

Dutchies’ complicated love-hate relationship with fireworks is well-documented, and last night was a prime example.

READ NEXT | De Kermis: 5 things you didn’t know about funfairs in the Netherlands

As the crowd enjoyed the final moments of the traditional fireworks show concluding the Weert fair, somebody decided that the situation called for even more fireworks — of the illegal kind.

@chrislobanzo Dutch people different fr 🇳🇱🎇 #firework #thenetherlands #happynewyear ♬ suono originale – spidey

The bang was incredibly loud, and people started screaming.

Initially, everyone thought that something went wrong with the actual fireworks show, but nope —the rogue firework was the work of an irresponsible young man.

Way to spoil the festive mood!

Hearing loss

After the incident, eight people reported hearing problems, and more are expected to come forward with similar complaints.

The police, who are still investigating, have asked witnesses to come forward with information or injury reports by calling 0900-8844 or, for an anonymous report, 0800-7000.

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Feature Image:Depositphotos
Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
Five years after spreading her wings away from her beloved Genova, Bia has just landed at DutchReview as an editorial intern. She has lived in China, Slovenia, Taiwan, and — natuurlijk — the Netherlands, where she just completed her bachelor’s in International Studies. When she’s not reciting unsolicited facts about the countries she’s lived in, she is writing them down. Her biggest dreams include lobbying the Dutch government into forcing oliebollen stands to operate year-round, and becoming a journalist. In this order.

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