Firework accidents kill two in Netherlands as fire ravages Amsterdam church

New Year's Eve in the Netherlands was marked by tragedy and unrest. On January 1, 2026, two people died in separate firework accidents. In Amsterdam, a fire severely damaged the 19th-century Neo-Gothic Vondelkerk, a landmark near Vondelpark, causing its 50-meter tower to collapse. While the cause of the fire is unknown, strong winds exacerbated the blaze, leading to the evacuation of nearby residences and temporary power outages for 90 households. Across the country, police reported an increase in violence against emergency services, resulting in approximately 250 arrests and the deployment of riot police in several towns.

On New Year's Day, a fire severely damaged the Vondelkerk, a deconsecrated church in Amsterdam built in the 1870s. The blaze, which started shortly after midnight, caused the tower to collapse and prompted the evacuation of nearby residents. While the fire was brought under control by 11 a.m., the cause remains unknown and is under investigation by police and fire officials. Authorities have stated that the church walls are expected to remain standing and no casualties have been reported. The incident occurred amidst ongoing debates and restrictions regarding firework usage in the Netherlands.

New Year's Eve in the Netherlands was marked by widespread violence against police and emergency services, with officers reporting an "unprecedented" level of aggression. A historic 19th-century church, the Vondelkerk in Amsterdam, was severely damaged by a fire of unknown origin. Tragically, two people in the Netherlands died in separate fireworks-related incidents. Across the country, police and firefighters faced attacks, including petrol bombs in Breda, and hospitals treated numerous individuals for injuries, particularly eye injuries in Rotterdam. The violence occurred despite an upcoming ban on unofficial fireworks scheduled for 2026, with record spending on fireworks reported this year.