Due to the anticipated stormy weather during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, several bonfires were lit last evening. Groups gathered in The Hague, Amsterdam, Wassenaar, and Delft to watch the fires.
No major incidents were reported. Local authorities ordered the traditional New Year’s fires to be ignited on Monday evening because strong winds are expected along the coast on New Year’s Eve.
Around 11 p.m., piles of pallets were set ablaze on the beaches of Duindorp and Scheveningen in The Hague. The bonfire in the Floradorp neighborhood of Amsterdam took place earlier that evening.
According to local broadcaster AT5, some attendees chanted protest slogans against the decision to cancel the traditional bonfire during New Year’s Eve, and fireworks were also set off. In Wassenaar, Christmas trees and pallets were burned early.
In some areas of the country, bonfires have been completely canceled due to the high risk of flying sparks, which could ignite fires elsewhere. For example, the six bonfires in the Friesland municipality of Waadhoeke were canceled.
There were reports of arson last night; a stack of tires was set on fire in Blije, North Friesland, and the fire was extinguished by the fire department under police supervision. In nearby Ferwert, the municipality has imposed a ban on gatherings, according to Omrop Fryslân.
Last year, police officers were pelted with fireworks on the night of December 30 to 31.
Source: NOS