New Year celebrations marred by fires, violence and fatal firework incidents across Europe
Brussels fire services have released their first assessment of New Year’s Eve operations, reporting a night of heightened activity. Emergency crews dealt mainly with small outdoor fires and vehicle fires, often linked to fireworks. A number of minor house fires were also reported, all quickly brought under control and without injuries.
Around 90,000 people welcomed the New Year at the Heysel plateau in Brussels. Some 60,000 gathered near the Atomium for the traditional fireworks display, while a further 30,000 attended the FCKNYE festival at Brussels Expo.
The night was particularly challenging for Brussels firefighters as an industrial action was under way, leaving only about 83 per cent of planned staff on duty. Support was provided by the Red Cross, the medical services of the Belgian armed forces, and emergency zones from Flemish Brabant West and East Flanders East.
In Antwerp, the transition to 2026 was also tense. Police spokesman Wouter Bruyns described the night as “extremely turbulent and dangerous” for emergency services. Police cars, ambulances and fire engines were targeted with stones, eggs and fireworks, causing damage to several vehicles. In one incident, a fire extinguisher was thrown from the roof of an apartment building. Around 100 young people were arrested, most of them under the age of 20.
Elsewhere in Europe, fireworks incidents proved fatal. In the Netherlands, where a nationwide fireworks ban has been in force since this year, two people died. A 38-year-old man was killed near Schiphol following a fireworks accident, while another person died in a similar incident in Nijmegen. In the German city of Bielefeld, two 18-year-olds lost their lives in separate fireworks accidents, suffering fatal facial injuries, according to police.
In Switzerland, several people were killed in an explosion at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana during the night. The cause of the blast remains unknown. Police said more than 100 people were inside the venue at the time. Fire crews and helicopters were deployed, and the Swiss authorities have opened a hotline for concerned relatives.
© BELGA PHOTO EMILE WINDAL