Queen’s Day Tragedy
Today is a national holiday in The Netherlands, Queen’s Day. We celebrate the birthday of Queen Juliana (the mother of our current Queen Beatrix). It’s celebrated throughout the country with festivals, fairs, free-markets (where everyone is allowed to sell their property in the streets) and concerts. Some cities will be visited by the Queen’s family.
When the royal family was in Apeldoorn today for the parade, a big crowd gathered. Many people wanted to see the Queen and her family members. When the bus with the royal family turned to go to Paleis ‘t Loo (the palace) a black car raced through the crowd hitting people and running over them. The car stopped against a monument called ‘The Naald’ (the needle). At least 12 people are injured and they announced 2 deaths already. It has been confirmed there are 17 victims: 5 dead, 4 badly injured and 8 minor injuries.
No one knows what really happened, was it an accident (maybe someone got unwell while driving a car) or was it a terrorist attack? Everyone is speculating and has their own views and ideas.
All the festivities have been cancelled in Apeldoorn and in Rotterdam. Maybe more cities will follow.
It was supposed to be an extra special festive day today as Queen Juliana would have been 100 years old today. But now it’s just a tragedy. My thoughts are with the victims and their families as well as with those who witnessed it. I don’t think Queen’s Day will ever be the same, people will always remember the tragedy on April 30, 2009…
Edit // The parade in Apeldoorn was aired live on TV so the car speeding through the crowd was caught on camera. You can see the footage on CNN in case you would want to.
Edit 2 // Confirmed: From contact from the police with the driver it is very likely that it was a deliberate act but that the 38 year old male driver has no link with terrorism.
6 Comments on "Queen’s Day Tragedy"
Wow that is so scary! It definitely sound like it was not an accident. I’m glad they do not think it is tied to something larger, though. One crazy person is easier to deal with than an entire terrorist organization.
Oh no. That is so terrible and awful!
I’ve been avoiding the news because of all the talk about the swine flu so thanks for keeping us posted.
I saw the footage on the morning news today, it looked so terrifying! The looks on the faces of the royals were so shocked…
Had the driver been drinking or under the influence of other drugs ?
[...] of National holidays in The Netherlands. On April 30 we celebrate Queen’s Day (which ended in tragedy this year) and on May 4 (which was yesterday) it’s Remembrance of the dead. We then [...]
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That’s so awful
My thoughts are with the victims. There’s so much negative in this world, it really is terrible.