Apartment Building Facade Blown Up in Nieuw-West, No Injuries Reported

The facade of an apartment building on Comeniusstraat in Nieuw-West was blown up last night. The damage caused by the explosion is enormous, a large number of windows have broken and there are large pieces of debris in the foyer of the building. A police spokesman said no injuries were reported.

Around 03.45 am, residents of the flat wake up after a ‘huge explosion’. What is left behind is considerable havoc, both inside and outside the building. The windows of cars parked in front of the flat have been shattered and the entire street is littered with glass.

After the explosion, both the Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EOD) and the Forensic Investigation Service came to the scene to investigate. The EOD was able to quickly determine that there was no further danger to the local residents. The detectives found parts of the explosive and took it for investigation. It is not yet clear what exactly exploded.

Scooter towards Osdorp

Due to the late hour, the police have not yet been able to speak to many witnesses. “One local resident reported seeing a dark scooter with two people on it driving in the direction of Osdorp,” said the police spokesman. It is not certain for the police whether the two have anything to do with the explosion.

The police would like to get in touch with witnesses who have seen or heard something or who know more about the explosion. Local residents with a video doorbell or dashcam are also asked to share the images.

Four years in prison

About a year ago, a heavy explosive device also went off at another complex on the Comenniusstraat. “I’ve never experienced anything like it and I’ve lived here for 50 years. It’s terrible“, a local resident said at the time. At least 23 windows of homes were destroyed in the explosion.

The police managed to arrest 33-year-old Levito D. before the explosion. According to the Public Prosecution Service, it was a wonder that no one was injured by his action. D. was eventually sentenced by the court to a prison sentence of four years.