Funerals set for six killed in explosions in The Hague; Communities concerned

Funerals to honor the six people who died in the explosions and fire at an apartment complex in The Hague will take place at the end of this week, according to victim support organizations Namens de Familie and Slachtofferhulp Nederland. The announcement on Tuesday came a day after community meetings for residents living near the site of the deadly Tarwekamp explosion, and a similar meeting for residents affected by another explosion that left one hurt in Purmerend this past weekend.

Six people were killed at the explosion on Tarwekamp on Dec. 7, and four others were injured. The scheduled funerals will take place in private. "The impact is enormous, the grief within the families is great," a spokesperson for Namens de Familie said on Tuesday.

The funerals are planned to take place later this week, including a service for 31-year-old Tim from Voorburg who was visiting a friend at the time of the incident, and a 63-year-old man from The Hague who also died in the incident.

Plans have also been arranged for three people from one family who died in the explosions. They are a 45-year-old father, a 41-year-old mother and their 17-year-old daughter.

Their 8-year-old son was the only survivor from the family. His family is of Chinese heritage, and there are also a few people planning to travel from China to attend the funeral.

The funeral of the 44-year-old victim from Greece, civil engineer Vikel Kamperai, is also planned for this week. His body will be returned to his native country, and the funeral will be held there, according to the organization.

His wife, Maria, and three young children live in Greece. She tells NL Times that it has been a difficult period, and she has had trouble processing what happened, and explaining it to her children.

Community meetings

On Monday evening, a meeting was held in The Hague for residents living near the Tarwekamp, where a deadly explosion rocked the neighborhood earlier this month. The event, held at the Overbosch sports center on Vlaskamp, was closed to local residents only. In Purmerend, a similar event was held for residents affected by a Sunday morning explosion. Both mayors attended the meetings.

The explosion on December 7 at Tarwekamp caused part of a housing block to collapse, resulting in six fatalities and four injuries. Four men were arrested in connection with the incident, and they remain in custody while investigations continue.

Van Zanen addressed the attendees in a letter, acknowledging the profound impact the explosion had on the community. "Over the past few days, I have visited the site of the explosion multiple times," he wrote. "I also visited the affected residents and businesses, as well as the shelter location, to offer support. In all of these conversations, I hear and feel that the explosion has been a traumatic event. You appreciate the opportunity to talk with your neighbors and fellow residents about it. That’s why we’re organizing this meeting."

The meeting began with a brief introductory program, followed by opportunities for local residents to ask questions and seek help from various organizations, including emergency services, municipal staff, and other city officials. This gathering was one of several organized by the municipality since the explosion occurred.

Meanwhile, in Purmerend, a similar event was held for residents affected by a Sunday morning explosion on Maasstraat. The explosion caused a fire that spread to two neighboring houses, rendering five of the six homes in the row temporarily uninhabitable. One person sustained serious injuries but is no longer in critical condition, according to the police. Around 150 people attended the meeting, according to the mayor of Purmerend, Ellen van Selm.

The explosion, which is suspected to have been intentional, caused significant damage and led to a fire that spread to nearby homes.

"The impact of such an explosion is enormous. People are deeply shaken," Van Selm stated. "It’s a curse for the neighborhood." She also noted that the blast has disrupted the sense of safety for many residents.

At the gathering, the mayor reported a strong sense of unity among the attendees, with many asking, "How can we help each other?" In addition to municipal workers, representatives from the housing association and victim assistance organizations were present to provide support and answer questions about the incident.