Explosive thrown at security guards outside Tilburg coffeeshop

Three security guards at a coffeeshop in Tilburg narrowly escaped injury after an explosive device was thrown at them early Saturday morning. The device, which contained a flammable liquid, failed to detonate.

The guards were seated in front of the coffeeshop on Gasthuisring when they noticed something being thrown in their direction. One of the guards was struck by the object. The guards immediately fled, but the device did not explode.

According to police, had the explosive gone off, it could have caused significant damage. The Dutch Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called in and safely dismantled the device.

The guards filed a report with authorities, claiming attempted manslaughter. This attack marks the latest in a series of incidents targeting the coffeeshop. In total, the establishment has been attacked eight times, leading to the temporary closure of the business on six occasions. Due to its 24-hour security measures, the coffeeshop was allowed to reopen in November 2024.

Following the attack, Tilburg’s mayor, Theo Weterings, announced that the coffeeshop would be closed for one month for safety reasons. A spokesperson for the municipality stated that further actions may be considered after evaluating the situation.