A series of explosions at the SE Fireworks storage facility on May 13th, 2000, ripped through the heart of Enschede. The repercussions are still felt today.
23 people died, 1250 were left homeless, 200 homes were completely destroyed and a further 1500 badly damaged. The estimated repair bill: €600 million.
Twenty-five years later, the anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on so much loss, but also to celebrate a city’s regeneration. Perhaps also, to ask if valuable lessons have been learnt?
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and with temperatures hitting over 30°C, many locals had left the city for nearby lakes. Some stocked up on beer and snacks for Eurovision Song Contest celebrations that evening. Children played football in the streets wearing their new FC Twente shirts in readiness for the all-important European playoff against Feyenoord the following day in Rotterdam, while others ate ice-cream or bought last-minute flowers for Mother’s Day.
One small fire
But at 3pm, one small fire changed everything…
Bringing the city back to life
Standing in front of the monument to one of the largest post-war disasters in the Netherlands, I talked to Lucien Baard, one of the first journalists on the scene.
In his newly-released book, De Vuurwerkramp (The Fireworks Disaster), Baard spoke to many of the survivors.
Roombeek today
Click here to read the full article on DutchNews
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