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Weekend Wave of Crashes, Protests and Fires Strains Dutch Emergency Services

Investigations are under way into a fatal A13 collision, several explosive incidents and major travel blockages on Dutch motorways.

Overview

  • A child who was resuscitated at the scene of a two-car collision on the A13 near Delft later died in hospital and police have an open investigation seeking witnesses and dashcam footage.
  • A multi-vehicle pileup on the A12 near Babberich, in which a car hit the rear of a caravan, forced a full closure toward Germany but Rijkswaterstaat reported the road reopened after recovery work.
  • Police detained more than 270 demonstrators who tried to block the A12 near Utrecht and kept 21 people who used vehicles to block the motorway in custody for further processing.
  • Several fires and explosions are being probed: the Woudenberg town-hall roof fire is under investigation with no current sign of arson, a loods in Hoogezand was destroyed by a large blaze, and explosions damaged homes in Amersfoort and Vathorst without injuries reported.
  • Regional emergency services handled widespread weekend incidents — including arrests after a Dordrecht care-home fire, a loose dog briefly stopping traffic in the Drechttunnel, and many roadside accidents — and authorities warn that holiday travel and large public gatherings increased pressure on response teams.