Year after fatal explosion in The Hague, Tarwekamp residents face financial uncertainty
Residents of the Tarwekamp neighborhood in The Hague are facing years of uncertainty over compensation, one year after the explosion that killed six people and injured five others. Nicole Hoogenboom, an attorney who specializes in representing victims in court, warned that even if judges award damages, collecting the money may be impossible if the suspects lack the assets to pay compensation.
“You can get it awarded by the judge, but if the defendants don't have any money, there's nothing to be gained,” she told Omroep West.
More than a year after the blast, the destroyed homes have yet to be rebuilt, and victims continue to face financial and personal losses. Insurance can cover housing costs and further related costs, but only for a limited period, and residents have suffered additional forms of damage.
Lyke Burger, a resident, told the podcast series Tarwekamp: After the Explosion that she has little clarity on what compensation she will receive. “We have already been told that only 5,000 euros per house number is available. That is, of course, not much in this case,” Burger said. The podcast, produced by Omroep West, followed residents for the year after the fatal explosion.
Hoogenboom represents 20 affected residents and explained that while victims can claim damages in criminal or civil proceedings, success depends on the suspects’ financial resources. “You may have a judgment ordering five hundred thousand euros in damages, but if the suspects have no wealth, there is nothing to recover. Especially if they are sentenced to 20 years in prison or even life, they will never earn that money,” she said.
The Dutch government has a compensation scheme for certain crimes, such as murder, manslaughter, and assault, in which the CJIB attempts to recover funds in the first eight months and pays victims if recovery fails. However, arson—even when fatal—is not covered, leaving Tarwekamp victims to pursue compensation themselves.
Hoogenboom called this a major problem. “Discussions have been held with the minister to add arson to the list of crimes eligible for state compensation. Considering the scale of the Tarwekamp disaster, this is indefensible,” she told Omroep West.
Victims may receive a small contribution from the legal guarantee fund, estimated at about 5,000 euros per household. The Public Prosecution Service is charging the four suspects with arson, as well as murder and manslaughter of the six victims. Sentences could reach life imprisonment.
Whether families receive state compensation depends on the type of conviction. “If the court finds murder or manslaughter, they are entitled to state compensation,” Hoogenboom said.
Definitive compensation could take years. Hoogenboom expects substantive hearings to start in early 2027. Appeals and potential Supreme Court cases could extend the process to 2030, delaying final clarity on how much victims will ultimately receive.
