North Holland was hit by explosions in January: these places were hit

The map below shows how often there was an explosion per municipality in January 2024.

Three explosions in one day

Alkmaar and Amsterdam lead the way with the most explosions. Both cities suffered no fewer than six explosions. Three of the six incidents in Alkmaar occurred in one day.

As a result, Mayor Anja Schouten, measures taken. Five streets have now been added to a safety risk area after several explosions at homes and business premises. Within such an area, people on the street can be preventively searched.

The map shows that Haarlem is in third place with the most explosions. There have been three incidents involving explosives in the city. For this reason, the municipality immediately has a house on Vincent van Goghlaan Closed. The apartment house had become a risk area after several explosions. The residents of the home are cared for in a different location.

Den Helder was also hit last month. The municipality counted two explosions. In one of these incidents, windows were taken out of a house blown by heavy fireworks. A neighbor’s window was also shattered by the explosion. No one was injured.

In addition, there have been two explosions in Purmerend. The municipalities of Amstelveen, Zaanstad, Beverwijk and Dijk en Waard are also on the map, where an explosion took place in January.

Causes unclear

It is being investigated what caused the explosions and whether they are possibly related. Since October, the police have been investigating the explosions in Alkmaar together with the Public Prosecution Service (OM). Last Friday evening, the residents and neighbors of the five streets were unsafe invited to enter into discussions with the mayor, the police and the Public Prosecution Service.