Rotterdam Mayor addresses violence in Rotterdam’s Oud-Mathenesse district

Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten responded to recent violent incidents in the Oud-Mathenesse district, urging the community to unite against the rising violence. Her comments came after gunshots were fired and an explosion occurred in the Franselaan area early Saturday morning, causing significant damage but no injuries.

Speaking on the NPO Radio 1 program WNL in de Kantine, Schouten expressed her concern over the growing sense of insecurity in the city. She also emphasized the importance of cooperation between various sectors to address the increasing violence. She pointed out the need for collaboration between law enforcement, the public prosecutor’s office, housing corporations, schools, and local businesses to tackle the issue.

“We need everyone to stand up against this,” Schouten added. “An explosion doesn’t just affect the residents behind one door—it impacts the entire street and neighborhood.”

“This is another situation that deeply impacts the sense of safety,” she said. “We are doing extensive research into these explosions. We frequently have the individuals responsible in sight, but they are typically young men who remain silent. They are not the ones giving the orders.”

The incidents, which occurred within hours of each other, have left the neighborhood shaken. Police confirmed that no injuries were reported from the gunfire or the explosion. Residents of the affected building were evacuated and temporarily housed by the municipality.

Schouten called for greater community involvement, urging Rotterdam residents to report any suspicious activity, either directly to the police or through the anonymous tip line Meld Misdaad Anoniem.

Schouten’s remarks come after a series of violent events in the Franselaan area in recent years. In 2021, a Polish store on the street was targeted twice in shootings. More recently, two explosions occurred in 2023. Authorities have not yet established any connections between those events and the latest incidents.

In addition to the incidents on Franselaan, police also investigated reports of gunshots on Schiedamseweg in the same district on Saturday night. Authorities are working to determine if there is any link between the incidents.