Around 12 million people in the Netherlands received an NL-Alert test message on their phones at noon on Monday. The message also appeared on hundreds of digital advertising signs, on public transit departure boards, and was accompanied by an air alarm.
The NL-Alert system is used by the government to inform the population about disasters and their area, and to give emergency instructions. The message is sent to cell phones in life threatening situtions.
A new NL-Alert system was tested in the Netherlands at noon on Monday. Many people who were not aware of the test were confused by the alert suddenly popping up on their phone accompanied by an unusual ringtone. The alert should have been received at the same time as the country's monthly test of 4,283 air sirens that also serve to warn the public.
The Dutch police unions are calling on their members to only respond to emergency reports in the weekend of September 14th to 16th, and to perform no other of their duties. This forms part of long ongoing labor actions for a better collective bargaining agreement for the police, NOS reports.
This is the most severe labor action ever taken by the police, a spokesperson for the unions said to NOS. "But we have to take this step. If noting changes now, we will soon not be able to be there when citizens need us." The action will have major consequences, according to the unions.
A building under renovation in Den Bosch collapsed late Saturday night, leaving a gaping hole in the city's main square. The collapse happened after 11 p.m., and rescue workers workers were still uncertain if anyone was buried in the rubble as midnight approached.
A total of eight people were injured when an Arriva passenger train hit a crane near Dalfsen on Tuesday morning, mayor Han Noten confirmed in a press conference about the accident. Five people were slightly injured, two were hospitalized and one was killed. The police are questioning the crane operator. It is not clear if he is suspected of anything.
Total chaos, is how eyewitness Ria van der Ham describes the scene near Dalfsen where an Arriva passenger train crashed into a crane on Tuesday morning. Van der Ham witnessed the accident from nearby campsite Tolhuis. "It's a mess, really terrible" Van der Ham said
Update, 11:30 a.m., 23 February 2016: Reports from the scene now say six were hurt, with two transported to an area hospital. The crane operator is being questioned by authorities.
Update, 10:40 a.m., 23 February 2016: The IJsseland Regional Safety Office reported one person was killed, with newswire ANP saying at least ten were hurt in varying conditions. It was previously reported that two people were killed. The status of the crane operator is unknown.
One person was killed and another wounded when an elevator fell inside a building on the TU/Eindhoven campus. The elevator fell seven stories and trapped both victims, believed to be workers taking part in the building’s renovations, according to Omroep Brabant.
From Thursday emergency situations can also be reported through a special 112 smartphone app called SOS Alarm.
Amsterdam football club Ajax is expecting a fine from UEFA for incidents which occurred during the home match against Legia Warsaw in February, the Parool reports.
Four people were seriously injured when a fire in a ground floor snack bar led to the roof collapse of the senior center above it. First responders were still combing through rubble looking for other victims as of 8:30 a.m on Friday, the Gelderland-Zuid Safety Region announced.
A party outfit supplier selling police uniform costumes for this year's carnival decided to recall the products after consultation with the police department. Police are strongly advising against civilians wearing cop costumes during this year's carnival, the department said in a statement.
Following the NOS hostage incident in Hilversum on Thursday evening, the NPO 1 broadcast remained blacked out over an hour stating "Due to certain circumstances, no news at the moment". The Minister of Security and Justice, Ivo Opstelten, finds it unacceptable that the national public broadcaster dropped away from the transmitter.
The code yellow weather warning is still in effect across parts of the Netherlands on Sunday with high winds expected to take their toll for a third straight day. Wind speeds of 90 km/h along the coast and 80 km/h inland are expected.
Minister of Finance Jeroen Dijsselbloef presented the Budget in the Second Chamber yesterday. The Budget contains the Cabinet's plans for the next year.
The Dutch co-pilot of a Thai Lion Air flight passed out 20 minutes after take-off, and died soon after. Peter Esberte was 47 years old when collapsed during the flight from Hat Yai, Thailand to Bangkok, the Bangkok Post reported.
A man standing outside his Eindhoven home was shot after three masked men arrived and opened fire. The man was struck in the foot, and was transported to an area hospital.
The alarm means for major emergencies, NL-Alert will be tested for the second time Monday. Across the country, people with a suitable phone will receive a test message.
