Train stations across the Netherlands turned into powerful scenes of protest yesterday (July 24), as the country staged sit-ins to speak out against the worsening conditions in Gaza.
According to the NOS, the demonstrations — organised by the Palestinian Community in the Netherlands (PGNL) — saw thousands gather to demand an end to the worsening humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza. ✊
From stations to the city streets
In Amsterdam, around 1,500 protesters filled the main hall of Central Station, while Rotterdam drew nearly 1,000 demonstrators outside its central station.
In Utrecht, the crowd was so large that NS had to temporarily close one of the main entrances from the station square, only allowing people to exit, RTV Utrecht reported.
Source: DutchReview
Several hundred more gathered in The Hague and Leiden. Smaller, but determined crowds turned out in Enschede, Groningen, Eindhoven, Amersfoort, Hengelo, Assen, and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
In some cities, such as Amsterdam and Eindhoven, the sit-ins continued beyond the stations, turning into street marches through the city centres.
Pots, flags, and firm demands
The banging of pots, plates, and ladles wasn’t just noise — it was a statement. 📣
Protesters used kitchen items to draw attention to Gaza’s famine and the blockade on aid. Many wore keffiyehs or red shirts, linking the action to earlier Red Line protests.
Flyers distributed at Utrecht Central urged people to take action: demand sanctions and an arms embargo from caretaker Foreign Minister Veldkamp, boycott Israeli products, and join upcoming demonstrations.
Source: DutchReview
Despite the large crowds, police presence remained minimal.
Amsterdam Mayor urges the government to take a clear stand
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema publicly supported the protests.
On Instagram, she urged the Dutch cabinet to strongly condemn Israeli violence against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and to “choose the side of law and justice.”
She called on the Dutch government to focus on “actually respecting and demonstrating the human rights that the Netherlands holds so dear in our foreign policy.”
Halsema added that her message reflected not just the view of the city board, but also that of many Amsterdammers standing in solidarity. 🤝
Dutch-Japanese relations have a long and interesting history, determined by commerce, trade, and war. Here’s a glimpse into the 400 years the Netherlands and Japan share. 🇳🇱🇯🇵
For much of its history, Japan was a relatively isolated country. Whoever dared to invade had to put up with a civilisation that would not give in easily (we’re looking at you, Mongolians).
Yet one day, the Japanese made contact with European civilisation through none other than the sea-faring, spice-stealing, brood-eating Dutch.
Well, technically, the Portuguese had made the first contact with Japan, but their relationship with the Dutch proved to be the enduring one.
First contact
The first ship to come to Japan from the Netherlands set sail from Rotterdam in 1598. Sailing alongside four other ships, which were all sunk on the way, it arrived in Japan on April 19, 1600. 🚢
The ship, affectionately called Liefde (love), dropped anchor where the modern city of Usuki, in Ōita Prefecture, now stands. Its strange appearance attracted the attention of the Japanese, especially their military leader (referred to as Shogun), Tokugawa Ieyasu.
And what was there not to love? The ship had big cannons, fire arrows, and many rifles, just ripe for the taking. And so, everything was taken, including the Englishman William Adams and the Dutchie Jan Joosten van Lodensteyn.
The two men were interrogated with the help of a Portuguese translator. However, their witty remarks quickly won their popularity with the Shogun, and he eventually invited them to the court to teach various skills, from cartography to war and shipbuilding.
A model of the original Liefde ship in Japan. Image: Nissy-KITAQ/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
The popularity of the two outsiders grew further. They were given lands and titles and settled down with local women. This laid down the foundation of Dutch-Japanese relations.
The Shogun disliked the Portuguese, who came by not only with trade but also with pesky missionaries who went around spreading the gospel of Jesus — a move that turned out to be very unpopular with the Shogun.
As such, the Dutch, with their rational Protestant values, wanting nothing more than some good ol’ trading, proved to be a much more appropriate option as long-term trading partners. 👯
Dutch-Japanese: a match made in the seas
The Shogun bestowed on the Dutch a trading permit — great news, as the Dutch had just founded the infamous Dutch East India Company (VOC). This gave the newly-founded company a new foreign trading partner to conduct commerce with.
The VOC (founded in 1602) managed to obtain a permit to trade with all the shipping ports of Japan and opened the first trading post in Hirado in 1609.
This early trade period was not very profitable for the Dutch as they didn’t yet have many VOC trading posts they would establish later. Competition with the Portuguese also meant that conflict was on the horizon.
The Shogun was unhappy with the fighting between these two foreign powers and gradually restricted access and trade.
But the biggest issue that the military leader had was Christianity.
Curious Japanese peeking at the Dutchies in Dejima. Image: Volkenkunde/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain
The Japanese decided to build an island called Dejima for the Portuguese to limit their access to the country. The island is still standing today in the prefecture of Nagasaki.
However, the Portuguese didn’t last very long and were completely kicked out of the country because they suspected they supported Christian rebels during the Shimabara revolt.
The Dutch were then moved to Dejima after committing an honest mistake: they built a stone warehouse and inscribed the date of its foundation as “Anno 1640”.
As it was established that Christianity was not really popular with the Japanese, writing about the year since the birth of Jesus turned out to cause quite some anger with the Shogun.
After this incident, the Dutch were restricted to trade only from Dejima, starting a new chapter in their trading history.
Western knowledge in Japan
For the subsequent 200 years, between 1641 and 1853, the Dutch were the only Western nation allowed to trade with Japan, becoming the gate to the outside world for the Japanese — especially through the VOC.
Western science spread to Japan through the port in Dejima, with the Japanese term rangaku(Dutch learning) being used to describe this phenomenon.
In its early stages, the process developed quite slowly. Every year, the Dutch would visit the Shogun, bringing with them the world news and different kinds of novelties as gifts.
Eventually, the Dutch were allowed to conduct private trade in Dejima, leading to a flourishing market, which highly benefited employees of the VOC.
After opening a surgeon’s post on the island, high-ranking Japanese officials would come for treatment when their local doctors failed.
A well-known foreign doctor at the time was the German-born Caspar Schamberger, who brought with him knowledge of treatments, medicine, and medical books.
The Japanese elite sought not only treatment but ordered all sorts of novelties through the Dutch, ranging from microscopes, oil paintings, telescopes, maps and even animals, such as donkeys and birds.
Through the VOC, the Dutch brought many more academics to Dejima, another famous figure being the physician Philipp Franz von Siebold. He opened a medical school near Nagasaki and further developed medical knowledge and treatments in the area.
He also had a child with a Japanese woman and, in true European fashion, stole tea plants from Japan and smuggled them to Batavia, the then capital of the Dutch East Indies.
Siebold also sent shipments of Japanese cultural and botanical artefacts back to Europe. On a visit to the Shogun, he illegally received maps of Japan from a court member.
Seibold was caught and exiled from Japan — leaving his lover and daughter behind. He eventually settled in Leiden, and today, you can find his entire collection of artefacts brought from Japan in the Sieboldhuis on Rapenburg.
Knock knock, it’s the United States (and modernity)
Compared to most of its nearby neighbours, Japan had successfully managed to navigate upholding its culture and traditions while maintaining some contact with the outside world through the Dutch and the VOC.
However, this all changed on one faithful day in July 1853.
Why? Ah yes, the United States arrived (we’ve heard this story many times before 😬). Surprisingly, they were not looking for oil, just for some trade deals. Aggressive ones at that, but still trade deals.
Arriving with battleships in Tokyo Bay, the Americans forced Japan to open up the ports and allow foreign trade with multiple countries.
This was bad news for the Dutch, as they lost their exclusive friendship with Japan.
But just like two old childhood friends who get separated by adulthood and responsibilities, the Dutch-Japanese relations managed to survive somehow, probably thanks to the telegraph. ✉️
A Japanese print depicting the pesky Americans who forced the country to open. Image: Library of Congress/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain
Over the next 50 years, Japan rapidly modernised, transforming itself from a feudal society to a full-fledged 19th-century Western democracy.
What we mean by that is that it had an appetite to conquer everything around it, like true Europeans (more on that later). The Japanese invited the Dutch to do some classic Dutch engineering, helping construct floodgates in areas prone to flooding.
Honourable mentions of Dutch engineers go to G.A Escher, the father of the famous Dutch artist M.C Escher, and Johannis de Rijke, who did such a darn good job that he became Vice-minister of Japan.
The Japanese also sent some of their scholars to the Netherlands in exchange and finally formalised their long friendship by opening a Dutch consulate in Yokohama in 1859. 🤗
A nasty divorce of Dutch-Japanese relations: World War II
As mentioned before, Japan was inspired by Western ideas of conquest and wanted to try it out.
Japan was trying to conquer the entire Far East, and guess what country happened to be in the area? Yes — it was Indonesia, which also happened to be a Dutch colony.
Not one to forego ambitions over friends, the Japanese invaded Indonesia in 1942 and maintained control over the region until WWII ended in 1945.
Initially, the Dutch elite ruling the country expected to be allowed to maintain their positions of power. To their surprise, they were sent to detention camps while the Japanese Army started to train local Indonesians, inspiring nationalist ideas.
This proved crucial in the Indonesian independence process, as it upset the established colonial order.
By 1949, the Dutch had no choice but to accept Indonesian sovereignty (not before a bitter conflict that lasted almost five years). Not surprisingly, WWII proved to be the biggest break in Dutch-Japanese relations, and it took some time for them to reach a level of normality.
Post-war relations
The Dutch no longer had a special place in Japan, and the war worsened things. Yet, in the decades following the war, the countries slowly found their way back to each other. One of the most notable events was the opening of the “Holland Village” in 1983, close to Nagasaki.
A view of Huis Ten Bosch! You’d be fooled that this is the Netherlands until you notice the mountains in the back. Image: JKT-c/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
A recreation of an actual Dutch village, the project was such a success that it was extended to “Huis ten Bosch“, which opened in 1993. 🇳🇱
There’s everything you’d expect in a Dutch village — windmills, wooden clogs, and Gouda cheese. There’s even a recreation of the Liefde ship, the first to arrive in Japan 400 years ago. And so, the relationship between these two countries has reached a full circle. 🤝
Dutch-Japanese relations at the Sieboldhuis
You can also glimpse the 400-year-long Dutch-Japanese relations at the Sieboldhuis in Leiden — a museum hosting the entire collection of Philipp Franz von Siebold.
It contains a lot of artefacts from the day-to-day life of the Japanese at the time, and while the collection obviously has some Western colonial quirks, it’s still worthwhile to get a glimpse of Japanese society at the time and its relationship with the country of the lowlands.
Have you ever been to Japan, and if so, did you feel the mark of the relations between these two countries? Let us know in the comments!
If your child is planning to study an IB programme in the Netherlands, but you aren’t sure what sort of financial assistance is available, this article is for you. 👇
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is known for its holistic, career-focused approach to education, making it a firm favourite with university admissions offices around the globe.
A world-class IB diploma often comes with a price tag, however, and some IB-awarding schools have fees rivalling those of three-year Dutch university programmes.
But geen stress (no worries), because IB scholarships do exist in the Netherlands. (And all it takes is some brains, drive, and a solid application to land one!)
Where can I find IB scholarships in the Netherlands?
Unlike university scholarships, most IB scholarships in the Netherlands are awarded by international schools.
The main purpose of these scholarships is to attract talented students who might otherwise be unable to afford a place at these educational institutions.
While these scholarships are primarily aimed at gifted students, it never hurts to shoot your shot! 💫 Image: Freepik
The good news? This means that international schools in the Netherlands are actively on the hunt for bright, motivated students to join their IB programmes — and they’re willing to help cover some admissions fees to sweeten the deal. 💸
Intended for IB diploma students aged 15-18 who excel “academically, creatively, and personally”, it’s an excellent opportunity to study at one of the Netherlands’ most prestigious international schools — without breaking the bank.
Here’s what schools look for in IB scholarship applicants
Naturally, scholarships to prestigious international schools come with some strings attached.
Top international schools in the Netherlands look for scholarship applicants who have:
A track record of academic excellence: Your child needn’t be a budding Einstein, but schools want confirmation that they can handle the rigours of an IB programme.
Involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities: Scholarship committees love well-rounded students, especially those who display passion and drive both in and out of the classroom.
An IB-worthy personality: While an IB programme requires bright thinkers, its heavy study load means that schools will be looking for prospective pupils with the resilience and ambition needed to ace their courses.
A killer application: Beefing up your child’s academic results with a strong motivation letter and glowing references from their current school will help impress scholarship-awarding bodies.
If you’re helping your child with their IB scholarship applications, don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd! This is one programme that rewards out-of-the-box thinkers, especially those with results that demonstrate what an asset they’d be to a future school.
What are your best tips for nailing IB scholarship applications? Tell us all about them in the comments below!
What would life be without cheese? Well, it would be sad and boring. I sometimes believe that, somehow, my cheesy, twisted mind got me to move to a country where I knew I would find other people as fond of cheese as I am. 🧀
The Dutch were the biggest consumers of cheese in the world in 2024 (take that, France!), and they certainly give it the respect it deserves.
So what do you do when you are a nation of cheese lovers and eaters, and you are particularly proud of yours? You export it, of course.
The Dutch export about two-thirds of their cheese production and are the third-largest cheese exporter globally.
How could you miss out on such adorable-looking cheese windows like this? Image: Pixabay
But why stop there? You are bringing cheese to people; why would you not bring people to cheese? Cheese markets, museums, shops and other attractions are a huge part of tourism in the Netherlands.
You cannot walk in a touristic street of Amsterdam without bumping into one of those shops where they sell Old Amsterdam cheese. But they take it so much further than that.
They like to tell you every little detail about its history, its production, and why it tastes so great. They even made it a Holland tour; surely that’s some high-standard commitment!
Without further ado, here are six popular cheese tourism spots!
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1. Gouda cheese market
If you did not know this yet, Gouda kaas actually owes its name to a great city in the Netherlands. Here, the cheese was historically traded before becoming one of the most popular cheeses in the World and was sold almost everywhere.
We’re not talking about a common cheese market either; you will cross a few wagonettes full of cheese on your way there.
While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the Gouda cheese weighing house (De Goudse Waag) as well: you’ll learn everything you need to know about how cheese is weighed and priced. And if you ever wondered how Gouda cheese is made, they’ll show you too.
2. Edam cheese market
Let’s move on to the second tastiest cheese of the Netherlands (don’t agree? Save it for the comments): Edam cheese.
Piles of golden goodness. Image: Pixabay
Like Gouda kaas, Edam cheese also owes its name to a Dutch town: Edam. Exportation from the cheese’s namesake started back in the 14th century (yep, so long ago).
Its popularity was also due to the sailors who would usually take some Edam cheese on board with them, either to eat it or to trade it for other goods.
The cheese market in Edam is mainly for tourists. Compared to Gouda, they won’t insist as much on their authenticity in trading there.
If you like cheese and enjoy a good show, we recommend the Edam cheese market as a stop!
3. Alkmaar cheese market and cheese museum
The cheese market in Alkmaar has been taking place on the Waagplein since 1593. The square itself was extended eight times in the city’s history — which really goes to show how successful it was for the local economy.
It doesn’t get cheesier than this. Image: Depositphotos
Here again, the cheese show prevails: it goes from bell ringing to inspecting the cheese by knocking on it, as well as bargaining the price by clapping hands.
If you are up for some deep, detailed history of Edammer and Gouda cheese, then the Alkmaar cheese museum was made for you. Located on the same square as the market, this historic building has been bringing cheese to life since 1983 and is the main cheese museum in the Netherlands.
4. Cheese Factory in Volendam
The name is a bit self-explanatory, but this cheese factory is still definitely worth visiting.
Why? Because it’s more than just a factory you see; it’s also an interactive centre that will tell you all about cheese making with a demonstration.
The best part? You can even taste this delicious cheese! Who would say no to a free cheese sample?
5. Amsterdam cheese company, cheese museum, and cheese tour
Would you rather stay in Amsterdam during your trip? That’s fine: the capital also has a lot to offer for cheese lovers!
The Amsterdam cheese company is located in one of the oldest shopping streets of Amsterdam, between a series of restored buildings that have remained unchanged in their character.
You can buy cheese, chocolates, and souvenirs there (it is one of the city’s busiest streets, after all).
The Amsterdam cheese museum is located near Anne Frank House, so you might want to stop there. It is essentially a shop with an exhibition on cheese, however different from most others.
It’s about all types of Dutch cheese, including Leerdammer, Maaslander, Maasdam, Old Amsterdam, and Gouda.
You can visit the shop and the little museum and purchase every cheese you need. We know your time is precious, so make the most of it in one place!
6. Cheese tours
Do you care more about eating the dang cheese than looking at pictures and artefacts? Then you should book a cheese-tasting tour!
The perfect complement to your cheese: wine! Image: Freepik
If you do want some information on cheese while enjoying all its flavour, you’re in luck: most of the tours offer a video or some explanations on the cheese-making process while you’re stuffing your face up with Gouda mustard and fancy beer or wine.
The Netherlands tops the European Union when it comes to career length, with Dutch workers putting in an average of 43.8 years, more than six years longer than the EU average of 37.2 years.
According to the latest research from Eurostat, in 2024, only six countries boast career lengths above 40 years, and the Netherlands is firmly in the lead.
Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, and Germany follow, while countries like Romania and Italy sit at the bottom, with careers averaging less than 33 years.
Working longer is the trend (and the Dutch are already ahead)
The EU is working harder than ever (well, longer anyway).
Since 2015, the average career has grown from under 35 years to 37.2 years today. The only noticeable pause in this increase occurred during the COVID pandemic.
But while the rest of Europe slowly catches up, Dutch workers have been powering through, coffee in hand.
Dutch gender gap smaller than EU average
While a gender gap in career length still exists across Europe, with women working 4.2 years less than men on average, the Netherlands shows a smaller divide.
Dutch men work an average of 45.7 years, and women 41.8 years, resulting in a 3.9-year gap in average career lengths.
In contrast, Italy shows the largest disparity, with men working nine years longer than women — largely due to lower female workforce participation.
So, the Dutch aren’t just working the longest, they’re also showing a bit more balance between men and women when it comes to time on the job. Efficient and (almost) equal? That’s very on-brand.
How does your country compare? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
A 38-year-old man from De Kwakel (North Holland) appeard in court today for the repeated sexual abuse of a pregnant Shetland pony in Amstelveen.
According to RTL Nieuws, the man is also suspected of assaulting his dog and possessing hundreds of child pornographic images.
A disturbing pattern
The pony, a black mare named Ona, was several months pregnant when Ricardo Van Z. targeted her in a quiet meadow on Amsteldijk Zuid.
The owner reviewed CCTV footage showing Van Z. climbing the fence at night, leading the pony into a shelter, removing his pants, and staying inside for fifteen minutes. The camera didn’t capture what happened inside.
During the hearing, Van Z. expressed regret for his actions. ”It was a huge mistake on my part. It was out of unhappiness, loneliness, tension, stress, and setbacks,” he said.
He added that he had been supposed to meet a woman he met online and wanted ”to see if I was still capable of having sex.”
Psychiatric experts concluded that Van Z. suffers from a personality disorder and cannabis dependency. He was declared of diminished responsibility and in need of treatment.
More than one offence
Van Z was arrested on October 31st. The Public Prosecution Service is demanding a 15-month prison sentence, with eight months suspended, and a two-year ban on keeping animals.
At his home, police found eight recordings of the pony abuse and more than 600 child pornographic images.
”I didn’t search for child pornography. I’m not a pedophile,” he told the court. He also denies allegations of abusing his dog.
Despite a restraining order, he allegedly returned to the same meadow in April and committed another offence involving Ona.
Do you think a ban on animal ownership is enough, or should sentencing go further? Share your thoughts below.
It’s no secret that Dutchies have a thing for cycling. Their love of bikes is no fling — they’ve successfully established a world-renownedbiking society, powered by none but their superior fietsen.
But how do they do it all? Well, they’ve mastered the art of bike building.
Why Dutch bikes are better
It turns out that what really helps the Dutch in their two-wheeled endeavours is the construction of one of the most common Dutch bikes, a.k.a. the mighty omafiets.
So-called “grandma” bicycles are not only low-maintenance but also provide the ultimate comfort to their users.
The best way of getting from A to Z! Image: Depositphotos
Why are they called omafiets, you ask? 💡
Well, that name actually only came into use in the 70s as a reference to the old-fashioned style of the bikes. Essentially, a grandma bike simply refers to a women’s bike of the classic model, while a grandpa fiets is a men’s bike of the classic model.
We could go on and on about the features of the Dutch bike; an item that’s apparently sought but rarely found by inhabitants of other regions, but we’ll let you witness the features with your own eyes through the following video. ▶️
And while the Netherlands also offers a range of interesting biking characters, the Dutch bike and its features surely compensate for all the bicycle-related shortfalls.
Have you ever biked in the Netherlands? What do you love/hate about it? Tell us in the comments below!
We get it — visiting a new country is exciting, but also mildly chaotic.
The Netherlands is no exception. You’re trying to figure out how to pronounce “Scheveningen,” avoid getting hit by a bike, and find a decent cup of coffee that isn’t €6.50 — all before lunch.
But if there’s one simple way to make your life easier (and your tourist status slightly less obvious), it’s this: get yourself an e-sim in the Netherlands.
Yes, we’re going there. Not because we think e-sims are sexy, but because they might just save your travel sanity.
What even is an e-sim (and why should I care)?
An e-sim (short for embedded SIM) is basically a digital SIM card. It lets you activate a mobile plan on your phone without needing a physical card — no paperclip, no plastic, no drama. You just scan a QR code, choose a plan, and boom — you’re online.
Getting an e-sim in the Netherlands means no more wandering around Schiphol looking for a sketchy kiosk that sells overpriced SIM cards. And it means you can start navigating like a local the moment you land.
Which, let’s be honest, is essential in a country where Google Maps is practically a survival tool.
Don’t be the tourist staring at a paper map
Let’s paint a picture: you’re in Amsterdam. You’ve got a museum ticket for 11:00, lunch reservations at 13:00, and plans to catch a train to Utrecht by 16:00. But your roaming charges are racking up, and the free WiFi keeps dropping out just as you’re about to check directions.
Now you’re standing on the street with that look — the one locals immediately recognise as “I have no idea where I am, and this app won’t load.”
Locals might not say anything, but trust us — they notice. The confused glances at tram stops, the panicked button-mashing on ticket machines, the loud “DOES ANYONE SPEAK ENGLISH?” They’ve seen it all. Staying connected with an e-sim means fewer of those moments — and a bit more quiet dignity.
With a good e-sim in the Netherlands, you’re always connected. Need to check NS train delays? Order a Tikkie? Translate “pindakaas”? No problem.
An e-sim will make your time travelling the Netherlands much easier. Image: Freepik
You’ll look like you’ve lived here for years
Okay, maybe not quite — but you will look a little more in-the-know. Being constantly online means you can blend in a bit more. You won’t need to stop every five minutes to reconnect to WiFi, ask directions, or beg a stranger to hotspot you because you accidentally ended up in Zaandam.
Instead, you’ll be confidently striding through cobblestone streets, glancing at your phone like a seasoned Dutchie. Bonus points if you’re holding a reusable tote bag and complaining about tourists.
A few more tips to help you fake it
Being connected is step one. But if you really want to master the art of not looking like a tourist in the Netherlands, try the following:
Stand on the right side of the escalator. Always.
Order a bittergarnituur without blinking. Just don’t ask what’s in it.
Cycle like you have a death wish — but with purpose.
Dress like it might rain at any moment. (Because it probably will.)
And above all, never look lost. Even if you’re headed in the completely wrong direction, walk with purpose and check your map discreetly.
Thanks to your e-sim, no one has to know the difference.
Have you used an e-sim in the Netherlands? Share your experience in the comments below!
A quiet neighbourhood in Utrecht was jolted awake by sirens and flashing lights late last night, as an incident that began with a routine car chase ended in the discovery of dangerous explosives.
Following the discovery, authorities were forced to evacuate two large apartment buildings near Utrecht’s Beneluxlaan and close off the surrounding area for several hours.
Chase, discovery, and evacuation
At around 8 PM the previous night (July 22), a black car caught police attention after it recklessly drove onto a bike path. Following a brief pursuit, officers stopped the vehicle and found several fuel canisters in the trunk.
Their suspicious nature was enough to bring in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) service to assess the situation, reports RTV Utrecht.
As a precaution, around 160 residents were evacuated from two nearby apartment complexes.
A resident of the evacuated building said she heard multiple sirens around 8 PM. When she looked outside and saw a black car speeding down the bike path with a police car in pursuit, she realised that something was wrong.
She watched the antics from her balcony before being startled by her doorbell ringing. Speaking to RTV Utrecht, she said, “there was a woman from the police who said that we had to leave the building because of the security situation.”
From hotel to gym hall
The displaced residents were initially brought to the Van der Valk hotel on Winthontlaan. However, as the night dragged on and the situation remained unclear, some were later moved to a gymnasium with camp beds.
Flat in Utrecht ontruimd wegens politieonderzoek, mogelijk gevaarlijke stoffen in autohttps://t.co/JwrsZFVWUD In een briefing in het Van der Valk hotel laat een woordvoerder van de gemeente Utrecht weten dat er tot 01.00 uur geen nieuws naar buiten wordt gebracht.#Telegraafpic.twitter.com/FiLYDqsYva
Translation: Utrecht apartment evacuated due to police investigation, possible hazardous materials found in car. In a briefing at the Van der Valk Hotel, a spokesperson for the municipality of Utrecht announced that no news would be released until 1 AM
As if that wasn’t enough, a similar fuel canister was found the same evening in Nieuwegein, at the Sportpark Galecop parking lot. Authorities are still investigating whether the two incidents are connected.
Safe ending in the early hours
By around 2:30 AM, the EOD team had safely removed the explosives for neutralisation at another location. Shortly after, the all-clear was given, and tired residents were finally allowed to return home.
However, a police presence still remains in the area, as investigations are ongoing.
All traffic along the Beneluxlaan and Europaplein is being diverted, and no trams are currently running.
Here’s what you need to know to travel smart and avoid nasty surprises. 👇
Fake visa websites are booming
Criminals are taking full advantage of the new rules. The Fraud Help Desk reports a rise in fake websites where travellers from the Netherlands think they’re applying for an ETA, but end up with no visa and an empty wallet.
Some charge outrageous fees and deliver nothing. Others do send a visa, but at a much higher cost than the official price.
“We also see forms of phishing, where reporters believe they are applying for a visa and enter credit card information, among other things, after which money is debited,” a spokesperson for the national reporting centre told De Telegraaf.
Last year, there were only 12 reports of visa fraud, totalling around €4,000. So far in 2025? 189 reports and more than €32,000 lost — and it’s only July. 😬
A slick-looking website? Be suspicious
While a sleek and polished site might seem trustworthy, tourism expert Isabel Mosk says it can be a red flag.
Government sites are often clunky and unclear, so if something looks too perfect, stay alert. 🤨
Meanwhile, visa expert Hilde Cevaal warns that many people Google something like “visa for England” and click the first link, often a paid ad or shady provider, while the real government site is further down.
She also flags the price as a clue. An official ETA costs around €16, but some promoted sites charge €178 for the same thing.
How to apply without the stress
The safest option is to use official sources. Government sites end in .gov, and trusted names like ANWB or TUI are reliable. Prefer help in person? You can visit an ANWB store.
For extra certainty, you can check NederlandWereldwijd.nl for official visa information and the right application links. In some countries, you can also apply at the airport, and although it’s not the fastest, it’s a safe option.
Have you already submitted sensitive information, or are you unsure about a payment? Contact the Fraud Help Desk for personal advice. 📞
Have you or someone you know nearly fallen for a travel scam? Share your story below and help others stay safe this summer. 💬
