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Four killed in ‘assassination attempt’ on Dutch royal family
Kiran Randhawa30.04.09
At least four people were killed today when a young driver sped through a crowd in an apparent assassination attempt on the Dutch royal family.
The car raced towards an open bus carrying Queen Beatrix during a national holiday and mowed down spectators. A child was believed to be among the dead.
The Dutch authorities said four people were killed and 13 injured, eight of them seriously. The incident appeared to be deliberate, but not an act of terrorism, they added.
The carnage happened seconds after the motorcade passed through the crowd in the town of Apeldoorn, 50 miles from Amsterdam.
Click here to see more pictures of the crash
Princess Maxima, wife of heir to the throne Willem-Alexander, looked on in horror as the black Suzuki Swift, driven by a man in his twenties, came to a halt after it rammed into a monument.
A spectator was thrown into the air and came crashing down in the road with blood pouring from his head. Two women were also hit and ceremonial guards went to their aid. A policeman narrowly escaped injury when he jumped off his bicycle.
A photographer who witnessed the attack said she saw about 20 people lying on the ground. Dutch journalist Peter von de Vorst said it was like watching a horror movie. “Everyone looked up and saw people flying through the air. Then suddenly there was panic, and you realised that something really terrible had happened.”
It was not clear how the car managed to enter the parade area, which police had sealed off hours before. Officers removed a man from the vehicle and put him into an ambulance. Other police gave first aid to spectators before they were taken to hospital.
Click here to see the crash at the royal parade
Shortly after the drama, investigators and a sniffer dog examined the car for explosives, then removed the roof of the car for a closer inspection. The open-top coach carrying the royal family stopped briefly before being accompanied by a police escort to Het Loo palace. Queen Beatrix sent a message expressing her sympathy to the victims and their families. Although her birthday is on 31 January, the monarch's birthday is traditionally celebrated on 30 April.
On the national holiday, street parties and flea markets are held across the country. Apeldoorn mayor Fred de Graaf said all festivities were being cancelled. Holiday events were also called off in the port city of Rotterdam, and more were likely to be cancelled.
Mr de Graaf said: “The scare and the images that the royal family have seen is reason enough to break off the official programme.”
Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the main Dutch cities last night and today to celebrate the holiday, originally intended to celebrate the birthday of Queen Beatrix's mother Queen Juliana.
The royal family normally spends the day in a small Dutch community.
Click here to see more pictures of the crash
Reader views (16)
However people may feel about the royal family, violence is not the answer. The royal family is safe, but innocent people were hurt and killed. So what did this maniac accomplish? If you have issues, with the royal family, that is certainly understandable, but is this how it should be handled? It is like someone who is against animals being used for cruel testing and blowing up the building, killing human beings. If you are against the war, that means you don't want innocent people killed and I applaud that, but what this idiot did was not the right approach. What the right approach is, I really cannot say, but it isn't violence! I am an American and I am against the war in the Middle East, but I'm not going to kill innocent people to prove a point. That, is worse than what the governments are doing. You should know better.
- Lori Desalvo, Old Field, NY, USA
Alan, you clearly have issues... Seek help please.
- Mark, St Albans
I was there today. I'm Dutch. I cannot believe this even happened. On such a day! It's Queensday, a national Dutch holiday and we love it. And all the foreigners that we here celibrating it with us too. It's total madness.
I hope the people got hurt will recover soon. And for the people that died, may they rest in peace.
- Mike, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
all typical crocodile tears of the plastic Dutch who grovel up the Royal families backsides,..whatever they do
Its OK to send her soldiers to Afghanistan to drop bombs on old men, women & children,..and hypocritically lay-down the law on drug production to the Taliban,.. while your Queen and her government have a cushy Mafia style monopoly raking in easy dosh (tax's) from drug-selling "coffee-shops" nationwide
now one's supposed to fel sorry for this poor queen,..and her Bilderberg clique of con-merchants
Sorry,..no can do...
- Alan Alexis, holland
I really doubt that car could have done much to that large bus. Although it did much to the crowd. It's a terrible thing.
- Sean, Chicago
Our condolences are with the people of the Netherlands and their Royal Family in the aftermath of this despicable act.
- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI
@ Peter Jansen
Your remarks are completely out of order. Shortly after the attack, Queen Beatrix made a speech on national television sharing her thoughts about and prayers for those who were killed and wounded with the nation. The only time I've ever seen her this upset was at the funeral of her husband. She was very emotional and clearly shocked.
- Rodger Poppeliers, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
@ Peter Jansen - Well aren't you an angry little boy! I notice you are too busy being snide to offer any condolences of your own.
My deepest sympathy to all those effected by this vile act of violence.
- Pjw, London
Alan,
You think this is funny?
Those poor people...
- Mark, St Albans
I have also been in Amsterdam on Queensday and it's normally such a happy atmosphere with no tensions. In response to Philip, I think it is more sad for the people who have died and their families and those who are injured than for the Queen!
- Real, London
Deep condolences to the bereaved.
- James Murphy, Petersfield
@ Philip Pelham:
Typical for the royalty lovers. Four people are dead and more than a dozen injured, but since they're all just commoners, all you care about are the feelings of the poor queen and how this surely ruined her precious birthday party. Nice. Next time, please share a word of concern, however cursory, for the actual victims and their families, would you? Thanks.
- Peter Jansen, New York, USA
This was no assassination attempt,..it was just a loony driver gone mental,...
A 1,000 Kilogram mini-style car 3 foot high,... attacks 15 Ton bus with passengers seated 6-8 feet above the ground
ha ha haaaaaaa haaaa
what a dumbo clown,...BUS 1,..car 0
- Alan Alexis, holland
Worst assassination attempt ever? the target is on the top of a double Decker bus and they drive at them in a car the size of my foot?
- Serox, London
I lived and worked in the Netherlands for five years. Britain doesn't have many public holidays but Holland has even less. People there love Queensday, it's Spring, the weather is (sometimes) warm and dry and the population get to cheer on their royal family, have a meal and drink a few beers. It's a great tradition and a good day out. My sympathies go out to those affected by the actions of a criminal lunatic that have traduced and ruined a national event. God bless the Netherlands - a wonderful country and society, usually.
- Martyn Warwick, London UK
How Very sad for the Dutch Queen on this her State Birthday for this to happen.
Clearly shows how vulnerable popular sovereigns like the Dutch Queen and our own popular Queen Elizabeth are to attacks by fanatics.
- Philip A.Pelham, Lincoln England