A car that drove straight through a crowd of people in Apeldoorn at the moment the royal family was passing by, did so deliberately. That was confirmed by the authorities at a press conference.
The drama cost the lives of five members of the public, and a further 11 were injured, five of them severely. The attacker was cut out of the car wreck and died in hospital on Friday.
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Members of the royal family express shock as they witness the incident.
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The town of Apeldoorn was this year's setting for the traditional Queen's Day festivities. An open-top bus with the royal family on board was close to the monument ‘The Needle', when a black Suzuki appeared at high speed out of nowhere.
The car hit the monument with a bang and came to a stop. The royal bus continued to drive on. Live TV pictures being broadcast to millions of homes showed a shocked Princess Máxima put her hand to her mouth. By then, 17 people who had been in the car's path lay wounded and, as it turned out, four of them were dead. One of the injured later died in hospital.
Driver arrested
A planned action, said the Public Prosecutor at a press conference following several hours of chaos. In order to arrive at the monument, the car must have gone through a roadblock. Furthemore, the car was driving into the crowd at high speed.
The driver survived the impact. He was arrested, but due to the seriousness of his injuries he had to be taken straight to hospital for an operation. He died on Friday. Chief Public Prosecutor Ludo Goossens could confirm that it was indeed not an accident:
"At the moment, I can tell you that from our first contact with the accused, there are indications that this was a deliberately planned action. As a prelude to this action, there are indications that there was earlier contact with officers from the military police, after which the incident we all witnessed took place."
According to Mr Goosens, the contact with the accused took place before he was cut free from the seriously damaged vehicle. He's a 38-year-old native Dutchman who wasn't known to the police, and it also isn't known whether he has mental problems.
No terror link
The Public Prosecutor stressed that the crash is not being seen as a terrorist-related incident. Explosives officers thoroughly checked the wreck of the vehicle, and the National Anti-Terrorism Coordinator was involved in the initial investigations.
Sympathy
In most places in the Netherlands, Queen's Day festivities were cancelled or shortened. However, in Amsterdam there were so many people already in the city that it was not feasible to call everything off.
Prime Minister Balkenende expressed his sympathies to the bereaved as soon as he returned from a visit to Poland. Queen Beatrix, who along with her family was in danger from the incident, also made a statement of sympathy:
"The hearts of my family and I, and I think everyone in the country, are with the victims, their families and friends. We're all deeply shocked at this incident. We're speechless that something so terrible could have happened."
* RNW translation (as)
Tags:
Apeldoorn,
attack,
car,
procession,
Queen's Day,
royal
Samuel R. Ganczaruk,
Trambear1@aol.com,
29-05-2009
- USA
I am deeply shocked at this incident. I wish to express my sympathy to the Dutch people and Queen Beatrix. I pray it was not a terrorist attack God bless all of you in the Netherlands.
Regina Baak --Toussaint-Zannet,
05-05-2009
- USA
I was shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific act of a selfish man. My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and my prayers go to our Queen and her family and of course to the Nederlandse volk [the Dutch people].
Rajiv Thind,
03-05-2009
- New Zealand
It came to me as a surreal shock. Just a day or two before this freak incident I was listening on the BBC World Service how Netherlands defies the global rise in joblessness as Dutch unemployment rate is still no more than 3%. I was thinking how lucky Dutch were and they also would not have individuals experience breakdowns and exhibit extreme behavior (as in the US) because of bad economy and the rest. But this proves that freak incidents may happen anywhere, anytime. My condolences to the victims, their families.
Brian,
02-05-2009
- Australia
This is indeed an act of terrorism, despite police denials, because it was aimed at the Royal family or at least intended to be seen by the Dutch Head of State. In the same way that a bunch of Saudi Arabians flew aircraft into buildings in 2001, this maniac drove his vehicle into innocent people in an attempt to make some sort of political statement to the Royal family. I am stunned by the loss of life of Dutch people trying to celebrate a public holiday.
Keith Nolan,
02-05-2009
- New Zealand
I am disgusted at the attack in Apeldoorn. After the death of Theo Van Gogh and Pim Fortuyn this is the last thing that the people of Nederland need. My deepest sympathies to all of the victims, their familes and to the population of Nederland.
Gary Avedovech,
01-05-2009
- USA
We are all saddened and wish to send condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. The Dutch people and their Queen Beatrix have been given much cause to grieve and our hearts are out to them.
paula Horkavi,
01-05-2009
- United States
My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones. I am sorry for their loss and hope they did not linger in any pain. After reading how the Royal Family was affected, I hope they do not cancel celebrating that beautiful day.
James H. Sprada,
01-05-2009
- USA
Hopefully this is not another sign of terrorist violence in our world. God bless those who have suffered in this tragedy.
Joy,
01-05-2009
- Sweden
I'd like to express my sympathy to the people who lost their lives and their families, and those who were injured in the incident.
However, I don't believe that it's a terrorist attack. If you look at the photos of the moment, you can see that the car was already badly destroyed before the crash into the monument, and some witnesses said that the car driver was lying on the steering wheel before crashing. Something must have happened to the car.....
I've lived in Holland before and I believe that terrorist attack on the queen could not happen...
Dave Harries,
01-05-2009
- England
I express my sympathies to the Royal Familly and to those who have lost relatives & loved ones as well as those who saw this wicked and murderous deed happen. I know that Holland is normally a friendly nation and I am shocked that something like this could happen on Koninginnedag.
jasmin,
01-05-2009
- India
That's shocking and tragic! And to happen this on Queen's Day. My heartfelt wishes to the bereaved families and prayers for the lovely people who lost their lives.
nitin pratap singh,
01-05-2009
- india
my heart goes out to the victims of this tragedy who had come to celebrate but were taken by fate from us. please send my condolences to the family of victims.
and investigate the motive behind this barbaric act.
Pinsie Perkins,
30-04-2009
- England
My deepest sympathy to those who have lost their loved ones, to the injured and to all that witnessed this awful tragedy 'first hand'.
My thoughts & prayers are with the people of NL today ~ I'm deeply saddened that this terrible event has taken place on your special day...
