Around 50 football fans unwell after De Graafschap-Vitesse match in Doetinchem

Around 50 Vitesse supporters became unwell on their way back from the away match against De Graafschap on Sunday. The ill supporters were spread over six buses driving them from Doetinchem to the Gelredome stadium in Arnhem, Veiligheidsregio Gelderland-Midden reported. Three supporters were hospitalized.

Ten ambulances waited for the supporters’ buses at the Arnhem stadium and checked everyone who stepped off - supporters and drivers. The ill football fans complained of headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

The Veiligheidsregio, the office that covers the emergency services in the region, suspects that the Vitesse supporters suffered from smoke inhalation. “Several smoke bombs were thrown in the away section by supporters of De Graafschap,” the Veiligheidsregio said.

A spokesperson added to NOS that some supporters started feeling ill in the stadium in Doetinchem. “Ten people already became unwell there. People became unwell in six different buses afterward, but not the drivers. That is why we think it could be related to the smoke bombs in the stadium.”

The Veiligheidsregio urged the affected Arnhem supporters to stay in the fresh air and contact their GP if symptoms persist.

A police spokesperson told NOS that there may be an investigation into the smoke bombs but added that the Vitesse supporters also set off fireworks. “It is very difficult to determine afterward which bomb made someone unwell. The suspicion is that people in the away section were hit by more smoke due to the wind. We will investigate int he coming days whether additional investigation is necessary.”

Susanne Wichart of the Vitesse supporters association described the situation as “very frightening,” speaking to NOS. “We were received by the fire brigade and ambulances at the Gelredome. There, it was quickly suspected that it was smoke poisoning.”

She called it “remarkable” that so many people became ill. “My personal experience is that such a smoke bomb is often more intense than a firework. The penetrating smell that comes from it also lingers longer. A few years ago, supporters had to be checked by first-aid personnel when we had set off smoke bombs in a tunnel, but there were not nearly as many as there are now.”