News|ReligionFirework accidents kill two in Netherlands as fire ravages Amsterdam churchThe Neo-Gothic Vondelkerk, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church, has been used for other purposes since the 1970s.

Fire Incident at Amsterdam's Vondelkerk

On the early morning of Thu, Jan 1, 2025, a fire significantly damaged the Neo-Gothic Vondelkerk in Amsterdam. The 19th-century church, an important landmark since 1872, saw its tower collapse, and the roof badly damaged. Emergency services controlled the fire by morning, and no injuries were reported. Approximately 90 households experienced temporary power outages due to the evacuation of nearby flats.

Two fatalities and multiple injuries were reported in the Netherlands due to fireworks accidents during New Year's celebrations. A 38-year-old man in Aalsmeer and a 17-year-old boy in Nijmegen were among the deceased. The Rotterdam eye hospital treated 14 patients for eye injuries, with two requiring surgery.

New Year’s Eve 2025 marked the final year before the implementation of a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks sales in the Netherlands. Despite designated firework-free zones, the restrictions had limited effectiveness.

The Dutch Pyrotechnics Association reported a record expenditure of 129 million euros on fireworks for the occasion.

There were reports of heightened violence against police and emergency services across the country. Approximately 250 individuals were arrested, and riot police were deployed in several towns. In Breda, petrol bombs were thrown at police officers, while in Amsterdam, fireworks and explosives were used against law enforcement personnel.

Similar disturbances were reported in Belgium, where police made numerous arrests in Brussels and Antwerp. Authorities employed tear gas in Antwerp, arresting over 100 individuals for targeting officers with fireworks and setting fires. Brussels police reported 70 arrests overnight for similar offenses.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.