New Year’s Eve Leaves Hospitals in Brabant with a Heavy Caseload
The first hours of the new year had hospitals in Brabant working overtime. One of the most serious cases was reported at the Elkerliek Hospital in Helmond, where a man lost a hand while setting off fireworks. The number of casualties is similar to last year, with dozens of people, including a child under ten, admitted for treatment. Many had severe eye injuries. Hospitals also saw an influx of patients who had consumed too much alcohol. Meanwhile, firefighters were pelted with fireworks in several areas.
At least three fireworks victims treated in Brabant hospitals suffered serious eye injuries. Others were wounded in the hand or shoulder. The Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg treated a total of 12 victims. Ziekenhuis Bernhoven in Uden dealt with six cases, including one patient aged under ten. In Eindhoven’s Catharina Hospital, three victims were treated, including two teenagers. One teenager suffered hand injuries, while the other, aged 13, sustained superficial first-degree burns to the face and was treated at the Anna Hospital in Geldrop. Both are expected to recover without complications.
The Bravis locations in Bergen op Zoom and Roosendaal remained relatively calm, with only two victims each. Pantein in Boxmeer did not have to treat any fireworks-related injuries.
Theo Weterings, chairman of the Safety Region Midden- en West-Brabant, expressed concerns about fireworks misuse. "Sadly, there are once again victims of fireworks injuries. Some of our emergency responders also faced aggression this year. Let me be clear: it’s utterly unacceptable to treat those who ensure we can celebrate like this," said the mayor of Tilburg. "Setting fire to a fireworks container is dangerous, and we should not accept it as normal, let alone setting fire to a police car."
In Veen, countless cars were set ablaze, and a police car was vandalized after the window was smashed. In Bergen op Zoom, firefighters had to deal with an explosion at a bakery and a major fire at a supermarket. In Breda’s Hoge Vucht neighborhood, emergency services were harassed by groups of fireworks throwers. Overall, the Veiligheidsregio reported that the new year’s transition was ‘intense but manageable,’ with most incidents resolved peacefully.
The fire department in Noordoost-Brabant was able to carry out its duties unhindered in nearly all cases.
