There were a number of minor incidents during the New Year celebrations in the Netherlands and a 14-year-old boy from Rotterdam was killed earlier in the evening, reportedly while trying to relight an illegal cobra firework, officials said on Wednesday morning.
Riot police were forced to intervene in several places and dozens of cars were set on fire, 20 of which were in Utrecht, according to local media reports. Police will publish arrest figures later in the day.
By 7.30 am, 17 patients had been treated at Rotterdam’s specialist eye hospital, around half of whom were minors. Doctor Tjeerd de Faber said the situation was similar to last year and again called for a national firework ban.
Hospitals were also busy dealing with injuries but were surprised by the large number of under-16s being admitted with alcohol poisoning, hospital association chairwoman Yara Basta told broadcaster NOS. According to the Telegraaf, some of them were involved in fatbike accidents.
In the Brabant village of Veen a police car was set on fire and riot police were drafted in to restore order. Veen is often a trouble spot at New Year. Police were also brought in to deal with large groups of youngsters causing troulbe in Markelo in Overijssel and in Hoogkerk in Groningen.
As every year, the firework ban – now extended to 19 towns and cities – was widely ignored. Most local police forces had said stopping people setting off their own fireworks would not be a priority.
More to follow
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