Police shut down illegal rave with up to 1,000 people at closed campground in Willemstad

Police overnight shut down an illegal rave attended by hundreds of people at a closed campground in Willemstad and temporarily cut electricity to the site to disperse the crowd, a measure that briefly affected nearby residents as well, Omroep Brabant reports.

Authorities received the first complaints about loud noise around 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the area of Oostdijk in Willemstad. Officers responding to the reports quickly discovered that an unauthorized rave party was underway on the grounds of a closed camping site. Police estimated that between 500 and 1,000 people were present at the event.

After consultation with the mayor, authorities decided to end the party. About 20 police units from the surrounding region were deployed as a precaution, and a police helicopter was sent to assist with monitoring the gathering.

To discourage the crowd and bring the event to an end, police temporarily shut off the electricity supply to the site. The tactic proved effective, and partygoers soon began leaving the area.