Minute's silence held for deceased Vlaardingen plumber

A minute's silence was held on Saturday at 11 p.m. for Vlaardingen plumber Ron van Uffelen, who died on Monday at the age of 45. After this tribute at the Westhavenplaats in Vlaardingen, dozens of people present lit torches. People on the terraces around the square also joined in the minute's silence.

So far, more than 20 attacks or attempted acts of violence have been carried out on Van Uffelen's house and property. His house was, therefore, sealed off so that the man and his family could not enter. They were able to return home in early July after the mayor did not extend the closure of the building.

On Wednesday morning, two suspects were arrested on the A4 for placing flammable objects outside the door of the deceased plumber's house. They are a 33-year-old man from Almere and a 16-year-old from Amsterdam. A third suspect, a 19-year-old from Amsterdam, was arrested by the police on Friday. The flammable objects were found outside the house in Greta Hofstralaan at around 05:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Nothing exploded, and there were no injuries.

Security around the plumber's relatives' house was tightened after Wednesday's incident, and the Public Prosecution Service had previously offered a reward of 50,000 euros for the golden tip for the person who ordered the series of explosions.

The Vlaardingen plumber died last Monday from an illness. "The cause of death is believed to be medical," said Van Uffelen's lawyer, Richard Korver, on his law firm's website. It was not stated if Van Uffelen was found dead, nor if he died in the presence of medical professionals. Local news service Rijnmond reported that Van Uffelen was rushed to a hospital last Saturday, where he received treatment for heart problems.

The first explosive that was detonated at one of Van Uffelen's properties took place in April 2023. Since then, over two dozen explosions have been carried out at his house within 16 months.