Toddler rescued from overheated car as storms and 30°C heat gripped the Netherlands

A 2-year-old child was rescued Friday afternoon from a sweltering car in Krimpen aan den IJssel after bystanders broke into the vehicle and pulled the child out. Separately, severe storms caused flooding at a wedding in Mander and forced the cancellation of the Julianapop festival in Julianadorp.

In Krimpen aan den IJssel, police and municipal enforcement received a report of a child trapped inside an overheated vehicle. By the time responders arrived, bystanders had already broken a window and removed the child, who had been inside the car for about 10 minutes.

“The child had been left in the car and was inside for about ten minutes when bystanders intervened,” local police officers wrote on Instagram. “The sweat was dripping off him.” Authorities said officers later filed a report with Veilig Thuis, the Dutch domestic safety agency.

In a separate incident, the Julianapop festival in Julianadorp was canceled due to storm damage, organizers said. They said the event “cannot take place in a safe and responsible manner” after significant damage was found in parts of the festival infrastructure and other on-site facilities.

Organizers said they assessed the extent of the damage and considered whether any part of the event could proceed but ultimately determined it could not. The cancellation affects scheduled performances by S10, Van Dik Hout, and Ronnie Flex & The Fam. Organizers called the decision “extremely disappointing” and urged people not to travel to the site so cleanup could proceed safely. Ticket holders will reportedly be informed as soon as possible.

In Mander, heavy rain and thunderstorms Friday evening caused a nearby stream to overflow its banks at Restaurant Bels during a wedding attended by about 150 guests, according to the regional safety authority. Large volumes of water flooded the grounds, and the restaurant sustained significant water damage. All guests were able to reach safety, and no injuries were reported.