Police: 1356 bombing attacks have been recorded this year, a number that is close to last year's total.
The Netherlands continues to face a troubling number of explosive attacks, with police recording 1,356 incidents so far this year, a figure close to last year's total of 1,543. Authorities have warned that these numbers indicate a continuing trend rather than a decrease, highlighting an ongoing national challenge.
The latest data comes from the national Offensief Tegen Explosies initiative, which includes the police, municipalities, and other authorities. Jos van der Stap, director of the high-impact crime program at the police, told NOS that it is relatively positive that the number has not exceeded last year's total, but he emphasized that the overall level remains dangerously high.
The police reported that more than 500 explosions this year involved gasoline with heavy fireworks. In these cases, perpetrators often attach one or two powerful firecrackers, known as "Cobra," to a bottle of gasoline, creating a large fireball and causing extensive property damage. The attacks are often aimed at intimidation or revenge, posing serious risks to the population. The worst incident remains the Tarwewijk explosion in The Hague last year, which claimed the lives of six people using about 200 liters of gasoline.
While some attacks are linked to conflicts in criminal networks, about half of them have other causes, including personal disputes or business conflicts. Van der Stap explained that in many cases, the motive remains unclear, as victims may not disclose all details or sometimes may not even know them themselves. Additionally, mistakes made by perpetrators also contribute to injuries and property damage, as explosions sometimes occur at the wrong address or in the wrong city.
Among the 1,356 recorded attacks this year, 516 involved gasoline. 926 homes and 227 businesses were damaged, and 323 suspects were arrested, including a large number of minors. The average age of the suspects is 23 years, with the oldest being only 16. These youths are often recruited through apps by intermediaries, and they are often low-educated or suffer from mild mental disabilities, making them prone to mistakes. The police warn that these young offenders are being exploited with promises of quick money and are engaging in a range of criminal activities in search of easy financial rewards.