New Year Violence Rocks Europe: Dead and Injured
New Year Violence and Fires Expose Deepening Public Safety Crisis Across Europe
New Year celebrations across multiple European countries descended into widespread violence, arson, and fatal accidents between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, leaving dozens dead or injured and triggering hundreds of arrests. Authorities across the continent reported attacks on emergency services, large-scale fires, and severe property damage, raising urgent questions about public safety and the continued use of consumer fireworks.
Incidents were reported across the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden, underscoring a pattern of disorder that has become increasingly familiar during year-end celebrations.
Alongside the street violence, the events sparked an intense social media backlash, with sections of online discourse blaming illegal immigration and specific communities for the unrest—claims that authorities have urged the public to approach cautiously.
Netherlands: Fatalities, Arson, and a Historic Church Destroyed
In the Netherlands, two people were killed in fireworks-related incidents, including a 38-year-old man in Aalsmeer near Amsterdam and a 17-year-old boy in Nijmegen. Police described the night as “unprecedented,” citing coordinated attacks on officers and firefighters using fireworks, petrol bombs, and other projectiles in cities such as Amsterdam and Breda.
One of the most symbolic losses was the destruction of the Vondelkerk, a 150-year-old neo-Gothic church in Amsterdam. The building was completely gutted by fire, which authorities believe was sparked by stray fireworks. The church’s spire and tower collapsed as crowds looked on, and officials later confirmed that the structure could not be restored.
Nationwide, around 250 arrests were made for arson, illegal pyrotechnics, and assaults on emergency personnel. The violence unfolded during what authorities confirmed would be the final year of consumer fireworks sales, ahead of a nationwide ban scheduled for 2026.
Germany: Riots, Weaponised Fireworks, and Multiple Deaths
Germany also experienced severe unrest. Authorities confirmed five deaths linked to fireworks incidents, including accidents involving homemade explosive devices. In Berlin, police detained more than 400 people as riots erupted in districts such as Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and Moabit.
Fireworks were used as weapons against police officers, firefighters, and ambulance crews. More than 30 police officersand at least one firefighter were injured during the night. Additional violence was reported in Hamburg, Leipzig, and Munich, prompting renewed warnings from police unions about the growing risks faced by emergency services.
While officials noted that some areas were marginally calmer than previous years, police described parts of Berlin as resembling “a version of hell” due to the scale of pyrotechnic misuse.
France: Hundreds of Vehicles Burned in Coordinated Arson
France witnessed one of the most destructive New Year nights, with the Interior Ministry reporting 813 vehicles set on fire nationwide. The highest concentrations were recorded in Strasbourg, where 117 cars were torched, alongside widespread vandalism in other cities.
At least two people, including a 12-year-old child, suffered severe injuries from fireworks mishandling, including amputations. Police detained over 500 individuals, with 403 placed in custody. In Paris, 125 arrests were made, including 33 for violent acts and 15 for participation in organised destructive gatherings.
Although authorities stated that some suburban areas were calmer than in 2025, urban centres remained flashpoints for unrest.
Police in the Netherlands, Germany, and France have stated that investigations remain ongoing and have not released demographic breakdowns linked to the violence.
Belgium, Switzerland, and Beyond: A Continental Pattern
Violence extended beyond Europe’s largest states. In Belgium, cities such as Brussels and Antwerp reported arson attacks, vandalism, and assaults on police and firefighters. Local officials condemned the incidents and promised thorough investigations.
The deadliest single incident occurred in Switzerland, where a fire at an Alpine bar killed approximately 40 people and injured at least 115, turning celebrations into tragedy. Sweden and other countries reported scattered riots and fireworks-related injuries, contributing to a continent-wide toll of dozens dead and hundreds injured.
Fireworks, Public Disorder, and Political Fallout
Authorities across Europe pointed to the widespread misuse of private fireworks as a central driver of the violence. While social media narratives sought to attribute responsibility to specific groups, official statements consistently emphasised generalised disorder, reckless pyrotechnic use, and opportunistic violence.
Economic factors also played a role. In the Netherlands, fireworks sales surged ahead of the impending ban, amplifying the scale of incidents. Across Europe, police forces deployed heightened security measures, enforced fireworks exclusion zones, and conducted rapid mass arrests.
Political leaders are now facing renewed pressure to expand fireworks bans, tighten enforcement, and rethink how large-scale public celebrations are managed. As investigations continue, authorities across the continent have urged restraint, accountability, and reforms aimed at preventing a repeat of the chaos witnessed at the start of 2026.
