NationStates Jolt Archive

Today is (or was) Queen's Day in the Netherlands. Usually a happy holiday here, but today somebody drove his car through the public, resulting in 14 wounded and possibly 4 deaths, in the view of the royal family. It was also live on television.:(

Moving images here (http://www.rtl.nl/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/miMedia/2009/week18/Thu12.ruwbeeld_apeldoorn.xml) and here (http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/485561/aa3abef1/koninginnedag_ongelukje.html), pictures and the Dutch story here (http://www.geenstijl.nl/mt/archieven/2009/04/aanslag_op_koningin_beatrix.html) amongst else.

edit: Two dead confirmed.

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCtGtluHppA&feature=player_embedded

English news story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8026807.stm

Boooooooo crazy, mean, violent people.

Ouch.

My sympathies to the families, Queen Beatrix, and the Dutch people for having such an important day marred by this tragedy.

Out of curiosity, how important is Queen's Day to the Netherlands? Are we talking Fourth of July, most-important-national-holiday, or something less than that.

Out of curiosity, how important is Queen's Day to the Netherlands? Are we talking Fourth of July, most-important-national-holiday, or something less than that.

It is quite big. Shops and banks are closed, there is a freemarket, lots of people dressing up in Orange etc. Special places where kiddies can perform. The Queen and family personally visiting selected locations and participating in festivities.

The wiki is quite good: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens_Day

Out of curiosity, how important is Queen's Day to the Netherlands? Are we talking Fourth of July, most-important-national-holiday, or something less than that.Slightly less then that I'd say, the fourth and fifth of May are more important. Though Queen's Day is the day everybody's free from work.
On May four eigth o'clock we remember those died in wars (WO2 etc.) and on May fifth we celebrate our freedom (that was the day Germany surrenderd in here).
Queen's Day is the celebration of the anniversary of the Queen's mother, the current queen decided to keep it on thesame day.

Slightly less then that I'd say, the fourth and fifth of May are more important. Though Queen's Day is the day everybody's free from work.
On May four eigth o'clock we remember those died in wars (WO2 etc.) and on May fifth we celebrate our freedom (that was the day Germany surrenderd in here).
Queen's Day is the celebration of the anniversary of the Queen's mother, the current queen decided to keep it on thesame day.

Interesting regarding the fourth and fifth of May - Israel has the same setup, holding Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Day of Independence) consecutively.

Then I guess that Queen's Day is about as big as the American Thanksgiving? Our President's Day isn't nearly as important. Martin Luther King, Jr. gets equal attention.

It's usually a fun day, people dress up in odd orange outfits, some play pranks, there are parties and special events.

It's not really like anything in the US; maybe part Fourth of July and part Halloween.

It's a great shame.

Will he have some fake reason, or was it a nasty suicide attempt?

Four deaths, five seriously wounded (including a constabulary) has just been confirmed at the pressconference. The driver was a 38 year old male. His religious/political beliefs and so on were not revealed to the press, but they did confirm he is a native Dutchman to quell the rumours that it was yet another crime committed by someone of Moroccan or Turkish descent.

It has been confirmed there are serious reasons to believe this was not an accident.

Those deaths were not from lack of first responders. The police and others went right in the render first aid, with little concern if a second attack might be inbound.
A calm and coordinated emergency response if I ever did see one.

Also let it be know I am wearing orange today.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/30/netherlands.queen.car/index.html

Officials have just stated that the driver will be charged with "attempted assasination of members of the royal family" as well as manslaughter and/or murder of the surrounding public.

I now wonder what his motives were...

Officials have just stated that the driver will be charged with "attempted assasination of members of the royal family" as well as manslaughter and/or murder of the surrounding public.

I now wonder what his motives were...

We should fly him to Gitmo. I am certain Obama can make an exception this one time to that rule.

I think today would be a good day to wear orange

Good grief -- my condolences to the Dutch.

I might know the answer, but I still ask what makes people do stuff like this.

vandaag, ben ik Nederlanders

Ik treur bij deze zinlooze tragedie.

Boooooooo crazy, mean, violent people.
Indeed.

Poor show, that man.

It is really tragic.

4 deaths, 13 wounded :(

It is really tragic.

4 deaths, 13 wounded :(

And a few 100 people - including many young children - that stood a few metres from the victims...

From what Ive read, the guy had just lost his job and house. Not justifying his horrible act, but sometimes, people just snap.

My heart goes out to all you crazy Dutch.

From what Ive read, the guy had just lost his job and house. Not justifying his horrible act, but sometimes, people just snap.

Indeed. The credit crisis struck again.
Thank you wonderful bankers. Don't forget your 50 million dollar bonus.

But the main blame stays with the individual. I hope he does not have children...

Indeed. The credit crisis struck again.
Thank you wonderful bankers. Don't forget your 50 million dollar bonus.

But the main blame stays with the individual. I hope he does not have children...

You know whats terrible? Because of the situation in the Netherlands and certian Dutch politicians who shall remain nameless, my first thought when I read this story was "PLEASE dont be Muslim..."

But seriously, this sucks. Its sad that four people had to die because some guy just snapped.

You know whats terrible? Because of the situation in the Netherlands and certian Dutch politicians who shall remain nameless, my first thought when I read this story was "PLEASE dont be Muslim..."

But seriously, this sucks. Its sad that four people had to die because some guy just snapped.

Five deaths now :(

And you know what is even sadder ?
I thought the EXACT same thing. If it had been a muslim.. oh shit.

Not that we know for certain he wasn't of course. I know several blonde and blue eyed muslims. But at least that bomb was defused...

Yup, the thought, please hope that it's not a muslim has been around more. Remember Fortuyn in 2002? If that was a muslim, things would have gone quite bad. Then again, did the bomb explode after the murder on Van Gogh?

Five deaths now :(

And you know what is even sadder ?
I thought the EXACT same thing. If it had been a muslim.. oh shit.
Glad I wasnt the only one.
Not that we know for certain he wasn't of course. I know several blonde and blue eyed muslims. But at least that bomb was defused...

Wait...there was a bomb? I missed this.

What a prick.

There was no bomb... He's referring to the 'bomb' of underlying feelings in a part of the dutch electorate and their issues with muslims.

Wait...there was a bomb? I missed this.


Metaphorical bomb. The "muslims did something horrible again.. LET US RISE UP AND KILL THEM ALL !" thing.

It is possible that death nr 5 is the driver himself btw.

Metaphorical bomb. The "muslims did something horrible again.. LET US RISE UP AND KILL THEM ALL !" thing.

Oooooh ok. My bad.
It is possible that death nr 5 is the driver himself btw.
Really? Well, I guess thats better then another bystander.

Still sucks though. People dying and all.

And after Volkert van der G, Mohammed B, we now have Karst T.

And among the wounded victims are 3 children of 16, 15 and 9 years old :(

Sadly - nr 5 was not the driver but another innocent.
*sighs*
*takes of his orange shirt*

From what Ive read, the guy had just lost his job and house. Not justifying his horrible act, but sometimes, people just snap.

.

NO he was obviously hopped up on that reefer.
refer to this educational video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZdhcNegZgU

If only those dutch had kept reefer illegal this never would have happened.

What an absolute prick, oh no my life has gone down the shitter I'll go and ruin someone else's life as well. Selfish bastard.

What an absolute prick, oh no my life has gone down the shitter I'll go and ruin someone else's life as well. Selfish bastard.

no no he was addicted to marijuana. I already linked the vid explaining everything

So what's the punishment for attempted regicide in Holland?

So what's the punishment for attempted regicide in Holland?

I guess they will send him to a TBS clinic. Which is a special madhouse for convicts.

So what's the punishment for attempted regicide in Holland?

It can be a maximum of 30 years jail time.

It can be a maximum of 30 years jail time.

Wat zit je nu te lullen man, die gaat toch hartstikke naar het dolhuis? :)

Wat zit je nu te lullen man, die gaat toch hartstikke naar het dolhuis? :)

Probably, but first he has to survive :p

Probably, but first he has to survive :p

Yeah, I hope he does. Leaving Earth this way, would not be a punishment.

Dear God, that's horrible. I should know better than to watch videos for things like this. I'd heard about it on the radio on the way home from work today.
Seeing the bus and the car makes me even more angry because, come on, what did he think he'd accomplish with that small car against that bus? Give them all whiplash? Jesus fuck, why do people have to be so crazy?

The mad man is dead. We will never know why he did it.

http://www.standaard.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2009/05/01/fkdaderapeldoornkonningined.jpg

Well, there was some verbal contact with him before he succumbed to a coma. He declared that the royal family were the intended victims of his action.

I hadn't read anything about his marihuana addiction. However, it would help to explain why, in a country known for caring about its citizens, this man was so far behind on the rent that he was about to be evicted from his home.

May God forgive him - for no-one else will.

It can be a maximum of 30 years jail time.or lifetime, when succesfull.

I hadn't read anything about his marihuana addiction. However, it would help to explain why, in a country known for caring about its citizens, this man was so far behind on the rent that he was about to be evicted from his home.

May God forgive him - for no-one else will.
I just read he wasn't behind on his rent and was considerd a 'normal' person by his neighbours. He was just moving houses because he couldn't afford the rent anymore.

Driver died and a policeman and totall of deaths is 7 now.. One victim is still in critical condition.

One of the first people who died was a pregnant women almost at the end her pragnantsy..

This idiot really destroyed a wonderfull holiday..

Has the names of the victims been released anywhere? I know people from Apeldoorn :(

I hadn't read anything about his marihuana addiction. However, it would help to explain why, in a country known for caring about its citizens, this man was so far behind on the rent that he was about to be evicted from his home.

.

just google the name of the "educational movie" on marijuana addiction I posted.

Again, words cannot describe how much this must suck for the Dutch people.

Has the names of the victims been released anywhere? I know people from Apeldoorn :(

i do not find it appropiate to post their names online, without familys permission. But if you know people who live in Apeldoorn, you might want to call them and ask how they are doing.

Seeing it on tv was horrible enough, but seeing it happening several feet infront of you is even worse!

i do not find it appropiate to post their names online, without familys permission.

I was thinking more like if it had been published online in an article or something like that.

Not that I know of.


In other news: A major Dutch newspaper decided that it would be a good idea to post a picture of the driver. Not from after the crash, but a normal picture.
Only the confusd him with another guy who had almost thesame name and as a result got calls and emails threathening him.

I don't know what stupider: posting the wrong picture or threathening someone who's already dead.

Again, words cannot describe how much this must suck for the Dutch people.

Yes, it will take quite some years before we have awesome national parties again....

So... Only one solution: We simply have to become the World Champion of Soccer in 2010. That will be the fastest way to have a good national party again :D

Not that I know of.


In other news: A major Dutch newspaper decided that it would be a good idea to post a picture of the driver. Not from after the crash, but a normal picture.
Only the confusd him with another guy who had almost thesame name and as a result got calls and emails threathening him.

I don't know what stupider: posting the wrong picture or threathening someone who's already dead.

But it made me feel better.