“Perilous.” It is the only correct word that explosives expert Ad van Riel can think of when 900 Cobras were found in a house in Veldhoven. If even a single spark had been added, the consequences would have been incalculable.
The news about the gigantic firework find did not even surprise Van Riel anymore. “We hear this more every year. But people have no idea how much risk they are taking. Not only for themselves, but also for the environment.”
Because the power of such an illegal piece of fireworks is immense. “A Cobra 6 with 28 grams of flash powder has the power of a hand grenade. If it explodes while you’re holding it, your hand is gone. And then you should be happy if it stays there. Let alone a Cobra 8 or 20, with 100 and 200 grams of gunpowder respectively. Purely deadly.”
“Everything with gunpowder is particularly sensitive. That should be stored in bunkers.”
In addition, it takes very little to turn such a room full of explosives into a disaster area. “Everything with gunpowder is particularly sensitive. To heat, friction, static electricity. That should be stored in bunkers. You don’t have all the safety measures there in the house. The opposite.”
And so it could have ended a lot worse in Veldhoven. “It only needed a spark.” You can see what could have happened in the animation below.
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Now in this case it is about heavy, illegal fireworks. But the banter and decorative fireworks that are allowed also entail the necessary risks, says Van Riel. “Safe fireworks simply do not exist. It remains an explosive substance. And in general we use it when we have drunk and stand with a butt in our mouth. A life-threatening combination.”
If it is up to the explosives expert, the consumer fireworks will disappear, and rather today than tomorrow. “I think a ban is such a heavy word. We all want to celebrate New Year’s Eve. But come up with alternatives. Come up with a professional fireworks show within the municipality. Or better: a laser show. Shoot into the air… Then you shouldn’t even talk about CO2 and nitrogen.”
The 900 Cobras from the house in Veldhoven have now been safely removed. “There are different methods of destroying it,” explains Van Riel. “Usually, water is added and it goes through the shredder. This creates a mix that can be safely burned.”
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