Lack of trust and a greater lack of trust

The two minute silence

Today on May the Fourth is the day of the commemoration of those who died during the Second World War. In most communities in The Netherlands there is a gathering at 20:00 hours and a two minute silence is observed. The biggest gathering is on the Dam in Amsterdam, which is attended by the Queen.

The bad memories

This year there was some extra tension as last year there had been an attempt to kill the Queen on April the 30ieth, Queensday. Both days are linked in the Dutch national psyche if only because they are just four days apart.

The event

As usual a large crowd had gathered on the Dam to watch the ceremony of wreath laying, military music and the two minute silence. Halfway into the silence a man started screaming an incoherent yell. Then someone else yelled as well and then a mass panic broke out. The crowd surged, children and grown ups were trampled. There were dozens of lightly injured and a considerable number of broken bones.

The applause

After a short while people calmed down. The master of ceremonies announced a calming message and people even applauded. For what?



The soothing message

Later this night the authorities announced that they had arrested a man, a criminal and a drugsdealer and that he will be investigated.

The conclusion.

People are insecure and jittery. Trust is lower than it has been in a long time. It will only go down further.

Attacker of the Queen of Holland dies

Joined in Death

The man who killed six bystanders and injured another thirteen died in hospital from his injuries today. 38 year old Karst Tates was still concious shortly after the attack. He told policemen he wanted to hit the Queen. He received his injuries when he drove through the throngs of bystanders and police barricades. Witnesses estimated his speed at 100 kilometers per hour.

The sad news was just released that a military policeman (Marechaussee) just died in hospital.

The death of the attacker fills the public with a feeling of unease. The public will never hear from the man's mouth why he committed an act of Evil.

Queensday parade attack

The Column with the Royal Family was nearly hit

A black Suzuki Swift rammed and killed several bystanders in an incident during the Queen's Day (Koninginnedag) parade in Apeldoorn. The vehicle drove through a crowd waving at the Royal Column. This happened at around 11:50 local time.

News media report that the vehicle was chauffeured by a 38 years old White Male.



The driver was arrested and is in hospital. The authorities say this is not at terrorist attack, but rather the work of a loner.

Video of the Royal Bus and the hurtling Suzuki Swift.

A full report at KV.