As the Netherlands welcomed 2025, a devastating fire consumed a historic 19th-century church in Amsterdam, while emergency services across the country faced an alarming wave of violence from revellers.
Historic Vondelkerk Church Destroyed in Blaze
The fire broke out in the early hours of New Year's Day at the iconic Vondelkerk, a tourist attraction that has stood overlooking one of Amsterdam's premier parks since 1872. The massive blaze gutted the structure, with dramatic videos showing towering flames completely engulfing the building and thick plumes of smoke filling the sky.
As the fire spread uncontrollably, the church's 50-metre-high (164-foot) tower eventually collapsed. Amsterdam authorities stated that while the roof suffered severe damage, the main structure of the 19th-century church was expected to remain intact. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
Unprecedented Violence Against Emergency Services
The church fire was not the only crisis on a chaotic night. The head of the Dutch Police Union, Nine Kooiman, reported an "unprecedented amount of violence against police and emergency services" throughout New Year's Eve celebrations. Kooiman herself, while working a shift, was targeted three times with fireworks and other explosives.
Reports of attacks were widespread nationwide. In the southern city of Breda, individuals threw petrol bombs at police officers. The situation became so severe that authorities took the rare step of issuing a nationwide mobile alert shortly after midnight, urging the public to only call emergency lines for genuine crises.
Deadly Toll of Fireworks Celebrations
The night's celebrations turned fatal in several instances. At least two people lost their lives in fireworks-related incidents. The victims have been identified as a 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man. Three others sustained serious injuries.
The Rotterdam Eye Hospital reported treating 14 patients for eye injuries, including 10 minors. Two of those patients required surgery. This dangerous revelry occurred in the context of a looming ban; 2024 was the last year before an expected prohibition on unofficial fireworks in the Netherlands. Consequently, the Dutch public purchased fireworks in massive quantities, spending a record 129 million euros (approximately $151 million), according to the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association. Designated firework-free zones appeared to have little effect on curbing the dangerous celebrations.
The tragedy extended beyond Dutch borders. In Bielefeld, Germany, local police confirmed that two 18-year-olds died after setting off homemade fireworks that caused "deadly facial injuries."
(With AFP inputs)
