Several drones were spotted over the largest gas facility in the Netherlands near Omin.
Several drones were spotted late last year over the largest gas distribution facility in the Netherlands in Velsen near Omin, prompting local residents to contact emergency services, without an official announcement from the mayor at that time, a decision that later raised concerns in the local community.
On the evening of November 21, 2025, residents reported seeing three drones over the heavily secured Gasunie distribution station. The police and Veiligheidsregio IJsselland responded, but the drones disappeared before they could be intercepted. During the same period, drones were reported near Eindhoven and Volkel airports, as well as in Liège, Charleroi, and other locations in Belgium.
The Vilstern facility is one of the main gas transport hubs in the Netherlands, alongside the nearby location of Ravenstein in North Brabant. Together, they form the largest gas infrastructure in the country, through which almost all quantities of natural gas pass. The facility has experienced previous incidents, including a failed bombing attempt in 1972, highlighting the site's sensitivity.
Residents expressed their concerns about the lack of public information. Ron de Wit, the leader of the local LPO party, warned of the potential catastrophic consequences if the site were to be attacked. Neighbor Joke van de Krommert mentioned that the blast radius reaches Utrecht, while a farmer, who preferred to remain anonymous, criticized the authorities for withholding information from citizens.
Political pressure increased when the Volkspartij Ommen Vooruit party questioned the mayor during a council meeting. Mayor Hans Vroomen defended his decision based on police responsibility and the need to avoid causing panic among the public. Police spokesperson Susan Schulten confirmed that those responsible for the aircraft have not yet been identified, emphasizing that the police do not announce every incident publicly.