Man hands himself in after police release images of fireworks attack on Nijverdal clinic

A man has handed himself in to the police after they shared clear images of him throwing large fireworks at a midwifery clinic on Kuperserf in Nijverdal, Overijssel, on November 25. The explosion, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., took place while several people were inside the clinic. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the suspects ran away immediately afterward.

In the video, which has now been taken offline, the young man can be seen sitting on a bench in the square with another boy and a girl. He then stands up, lights the fireworks, and hurls them toward the clinic. Police noted that the act was “likely not intended” to hit the clinic, but added, “This explosion naturally has a significant impact on those present inside the building.”

The police had previously shared images of him in a way that concealed his identity, but that did not lead to any tips. The photos were then posted on Instagram in a recognizable form, which led to the suspect’s arrest.

Local reports indicate that the explosion broke a window and scattered glass onto a chair where the assistant was sitting. Witnesses reported that the assistant present in the room at the moment the window broke was profoundly affected by the incident.

Through social media and local outlets, the clinic thanked everyone who offered support and shared tips. This contributed to pressuring the suspect, who ultimately turned himself in.

The Nijverdal incident is part of a wider trend of fireworks- and explosion-related cases in the Netherlands, which authorities are tackling more actively. In 2024, over 1,500 such incidents occurred nationwide, leading to a coordinated campaign to prevent and investigate explosions and heavy fireworks incidents and ensure offenders face legal consequences.