Unprecedented Violence Erupts in the Netherlands on New Year's Eve

Thu Jan 01 2026 17:15:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Dutch police faced unprecedented violence as fireworks were hurled at them, while a historic church in Amsterdam was engulfed in flames, resulting in fatalities and widespread chaos.

On New Year's Eve, Dutch police experienced an extraordinary level of violence across the Netherlands, with numerous fireworks incidents leading to injuries and fatalities. A historical church in Amsterdam, the Vondelkerk, was set ablaze, highlighting the chaos of the celebrations. The police union reported widespread attacks on emergency services, emphasizing the need for a ban on unofficial fireworks, set to take effect in 2026.

Police in the Netherlands were pelted with fireworks and faced an 'unprecedented amount of violence' on New Year's Eve, officers have said.

A 19th-century church in Amsterdam was engulfed by fire in the early hours of New Year's Day, although the cause of the blaze is not yet known.

The Vondelkerk, which overlooks the largest park in the city, the Vondelpark, has been a tourist attraction since it was built in 1872.

Elsewhere, in Rotterdam, a 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man were killed in fireworks incidents. In Bielefeld, Germany, local police reported that two 18-year-olds died after setting off homemade fireworks.

The head of the Dutch Police Union, Nine Kooiman, stated she was attacked with fireworks during her shift in Amsterdam. She commented that the level of violence was 'unprecedented'. Reports of attacks against police and firefighters were widespread across the country, with petrol bombs thrown at police in Breda.

In Rotterdam, the city's eye hospital treated 14 patients, including 10 minors, for eye injuries sustained during the celebrations, with two requiring surgery. In Amsterdam, the 50-metre high tower of the historic Vondelkerk church collapsed, although authorities expect the structure will remain intact despite the roof damage.

The neo-Gothic basilica was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers, who also designed the Rijksmuseum. A ban on unofficial fireworks is due to be enforced in 2026. According to the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association, a record €129m had been spent on fireworks this year.