A 19th century church in Amsterdam was engulfed by fire in the early hours of New Year’s Day
Elsewhere in the Netherlands, a 17-year-old boy and 38-year-old man were killed in fireworks incidents. In Bielefeld, Germany, local police said two 18-year-olds died after setting off homemade fireworks.
Reports of attacks against police and firefighters were widespread across the country.
Petrol bombs were thrown at police in the southern city of Breda. In Rotterdam, the city’s eye hospital said it had treated 14 patients, including 10 minors, for eye injuries. Two received surgery.
Even from a distance from the Netherlands, there is this constant rumbling thunder from the direction of the border. It starts a few hours before midnight and only stops a few hours after midnight. Sometimes you can see the clouds flashing red and green. It does feel like a distant war zone.
The wildlife is probably migrating for the duration.