Editing Enschede fireworks disaster

{{Short description|2000 explosion in the eastern Netherlands}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Enschede fireworks disaster
| image = Ramp enschede.jpg
| caption = The suburb of Roombeek on fire
| date = {{start date and age|2000|05|13|df=y}}
| time = {{circa|15:00}} [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] ([[UTC+02:00]])
| location = [[Enschede]], Netherlands
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|13|49|N|6|53|36|E|type:event_region:NL-OV|display=title,inline}}
| type = [[List of fireworks accidents and incidents|Fireworks disaster]]
| deaths = 23 (22 directly, 1 indirectly)<ref name=":0" />
| injuries = 950
| property damage = {{Plain list|
* 400 homes destroyed
* 1,500 buildings damaged}}
}}

The '''Enschede fireworks disaster''' was a catastrophic [[fireworks]] [[explosion]] on 13 May 2000 in [[Enschede]], [[Netherlands]].<ref>{{Cite news|title = Dutch fireworks disaster|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/747520.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2000-05-13|access-date = 2015-06-13|archive-date = 14 April 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230414112339/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/747520.stm|url-status = live}}</ref> The explosion killed 23{{efn|name=fn1|22 directly, 1 indirectly<ref name=":0" />}} people including four [[firefighters]] and injured 950 others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://huisvanverhalenenschede.nl/herdenking-vuurwerkramp-2/herdenkingen-vuurwerkramp-20012011/|title=Firework Disaster Enschede 13 May 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010024837/http://huisvanverhalenenschede.nl/herdenking-vuurwerkramp-2/herdenkingen-vuurwerkramp-20012011/|archive-date=2017-10-10|work=huisvanverhalenenschede.nl|access-date = 2017-05-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Government cover-up alleged in fireworks disaster that killed 23, injured 950 |url=https://nltimes.nl/2019/06/13/government-cover-alleged-fireworks-disaster-killed-23-injured-950 |access-date=2023-08-08 |work=NL Times |date=13 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> A total of 400 homes were destroyed and 1,500 buildings were subsequently damaged.

The first explosion had a strength in the order of {{convert|0.8|tonTNT|lk=on}}, while the strength of the final explosion was in the range of {{convert|4|-|5|tonTNT}}.<ref>T. Bedford, P. H. A. J. M. van Gelder, 2003, "Safety and reliability: proceedings of the ESREL 2003 European safety and reliability conference", p.1688</ref> The biggest blast was felt as far as the city of [[Deventer]], {{convert|50|km|mi|0}} away. Fire crews were called in from across the border in [[Germany]] to help battle the blaze; it was brought under control by the end of the day.

[[S.E. Fireworks]] was a major supplier to [[Pop music|pop]] [[concerts]] and major festive events in the Netherlands. Prior to the disaster it had a good safety record and met all safety audits.<ref name="independent.co.uk">{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/after-400-homes-and-15-streets-are-incinerated-by-firework-blast-the-dutch-ask-was-it-arson-716195.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=After 400 homes and 15 streets are incinerated by firework blast, the Dutch ask: Was it arson? | first=Stephen | last=Castle | date=15 May 2000 | access-date=2 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Cause==
[[File:Roombeek enschede vuurwerkramp krater.JPG|thumb|Crater created by the explosion]]
The fire which triggered the explosion is believed to have started inside the central building of the S.E. Fireworks [[Storage depot|depot]], in a work area where some {{Convert|900|kg|abbr=on}} of fireworks were stored. It then spread outside the building to two full [[shipping container]]s that were being used to illegally store more [[display incendiaries]]. When the {{Convert|177|t}} of fireworks exploded, it destroyed the surrounding residential area.<ref name="vt">[http://www.nrc.nl/W2/Lab/Enschede/010323-b.html Online ''Oosting zag iets over het hoofd in Enschede''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224151024/http://www.nrc.nl/W2/Lab/Enschede/010323-b.html |date=24 December 2008 }}, NRC Handelsblad, 23 March 2001</ref>

One theory to explain the large scale of the disaster was that internal [[fire door]]s in the central complex—which might otherwise have contained the fire—had been left open. Theoretically, an explosion was considered highly unlikely because the fireworks were stored in sealed [[bunker]]s specifically designed to minimize such risk. However, the illegal use of shipping containers reduced safety, particularly as they had been arranged closely together at ground level and had not been separated either by [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]] or other partitioning.<ref name=WSWS>{{Cite web|title = Netherlands fireworks factory explosion—the downside of the Dutch social model – World Socialist Web Site|url = https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2000/05/neth-m31.html|website = wsws.org|access-date = 2015-06-13|first = Hendrik|last = Paul|date = 31 May 2000|archive-date = 4 April 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130404154758/http://wsws.org/en/articles/2000/05/neth-m31.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

One week prior to the explosion, S.E. had been audited. The company was judged to have met all official safety regulations while the legally imported fireworks had been inspected by Dutch authorities and deemed safe.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Dutch blast factory boss arrested|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/755743.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2000-05-19|access-date = 2015-06-13|archive-date = 10 August 2003|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030810074112/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/755743.stm|url-status = live}}</ref> However, after the explosion, residents from the affected district of [[Roombeek]]—a poor, working-class neighbourhood—complained of government inaction and lack of interest, saying the whole disaster was just waiting to happen.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/>

When it was built in 1977, the [[warehouse]] was outside the town, but as new residential areas were built it became surrounded by [[Subsidized housing|low-income housing]].<ref>{{Cite news|title = Inquiry into firework blast|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/749108.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2000-05-15|access-date = 2015-06-13|archive-date = 17 May 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140517193615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/749108.stm|url-status = live}}</ref> Residents and town [[councillor]]s stated they did not even know that there was a fireworks warehouse in their area. Later in the court case, the judge said that city officials failed to take steps even when they knew laws had been broken. They acted "completely incomprehensibly" by allowing the company to expand, for fear that the city would have to pay the cost of moving S.E. Fireworks to another location.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mrt.com/import/article_de453970-107b-5622-bb16-9c6e922517e6.html|title = Dutch Fireworks Owners Sentenced|date = 2 April 2002|access-date = 13 June 2015|publisher = Midland Reporter Telegram|last = DEUTSCH|first = ANTHONY}}</ref>

==Damage==
A {{Convert|40|ha|acre km2|adj=on|sigfig=1}} area around the warehouse was destroyed by the blast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2686/Binnenland/article/detail/668626/2005/05/10/Geslaagde-transformatie-van-stadswijk-na-vuurwerkramp.dhtml|title=Geslaagde transformatie van stadswijk na vuurwerkramp|language=nl|newspaper=de Volkskrant|date=10 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014182732/http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2686/Binnenland/article/detail/668626/2005/05/10/Geslaagde-transformatie-van-stadswijk-na-vuurwerkramp.dhtml|archive-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> The S.E. Fireworks factory was the only one in the Netherlands to be located in a residential area.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Dutch fireworks disaster|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/747566.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2000-05-14|access-date = 2015-06-13|archive-date = 22 July 2004|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040722095243/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/747566.stm|url-status = live}}</ref> This caused around 400 houses to be destroyed, 15 streets incinerated and a total of 1,500 homes damaged, leaving 1,250 people [[homeless]], essentially obliterating the neighbourhood of [[Roombeek]]. Ten thousand residents were evacuated, and damages eventually neared 1&nbsp;billion [[Dutch guilder|guilders]] (€454&nbsp;million).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nd.nl/dossiers/binnenland/vuurwerkramp-enschede/economie|title=Dossier: Vuurwerkramp Enschede 2000 – Economie|newspaper=Nederlands Dagblad|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212050850/https://www.nd.nl/dossiers/binnenland/vuurwerkramp-enschede/economie|archive-date=12 February 2015}}</ref>

The Dutch Government warned that potentially harmful [[asbestos]] was released into the air by the explosion.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Search for Enschede survivors ends|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/748535.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2000-05-15|access-date = 2015-06-13|archive-date = 14 April 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230414112335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/748535.stm|url-status = live}}</ref> The fire spread to the nearby [[Grolsch Brewery|Grolsch Beer]] [[brewery]], which had an asbestos roof. It was later [[demolish]]ed and closed; a replacement opened nearby in [[Boekelo]] in 2004.

== Death toll ==
[[File:20130407 Roombeek 10.JPG|thumb|Memorial at the site of the disaster on which the names of the dead are engraved]]

By 22 May 2000, 18 people had been confirmed dead,<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2000 |title=Aantal doden ramp stijgt tot achttien |url=https://www.rd.nl/oud/000523home.html?pg=ramp/000523bin04.html |access-date=11 May 2024 |website=Reformatorisch Dagblad |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240523005741/https://www.rd.nl/oud/000523home.html?pg=ramp/000523bin04.html |url-status=live }}</ref> including an [[elderly]] woman who died from her injuries in a [[hospital]] on 21 May.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2000 |title=Dodental gestegen tot zeventien |url=https://krant.telegraaf.nl/krant/focus/vuurwerk/teksten/vuurwerk.dodental17.html |access-date=11 May 2024 |website=Telegraaf |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523004115/https://krant.telegraaf.nl/krant/focus/vuurwerk/teksten/vuurwerk.dodental17.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 May, the search for victims ended with three people still missing and presumed dead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2000 |title=Drie vermisten niet meer terug te vinden |url=https://www.trouw.nl/voorpagina/drie-vermisten-niet-meer-terug-te-vinden~bd094c90/ |access-date=11 May 2024 |website=Trouw |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523004127/https://www.trouw.nl/voorpagina/drie-vermisten-niet-meer-terug-te-vinden~bd094c90/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2000 |title=Bezoek rampgebied schokt bewoners |url=https://www.rd.nl/oud/000525home.html?pg=ramp/000525bin02.html |access-date=11 May 2024 |website=Reformatorisch Dagblad |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240523005733/https://www.rd.nl/oud/000525home.html?pg=ramp/000525bin02.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A 19th victim died from her injuries in a hospital on 19 October 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2000 |title=Vuurwerkramp eist 19de leven |url=https://www.trouw.nl/voorpagina/vuurwerkramp-eist-19de-leven~bf654e50/ |access-date=11 May 2024 |website=Trouw |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511020258/https://www.trouw.nl/voorpagina/vuurwerkramp-eist-19de-leven~bf654e50/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The addition of the three missing people to the death toll brought the total to 22. In 2005, Dutch media reported that a 26-year-old Enschede resident who had died in a local hospital on 2 October 2000 was unofficially being recognized as the 23rd victim of the disaster.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nijland |first=Rik |date=24 May 2005 |title=Vergeten slachtoffer vuurwerkramp duikt op |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/vergeten-slachtoffer-vuurwerkramp-duikt-op~b7900241/ |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=Volkskrant |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511020258/https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/vergeten-slachtoffer-vuurwerkramp-duikt-op~b7900241/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her [[widower]] clarified in an interview that while she sustained only minor injuries on the day of the disaster, she appeared to develop an [[eating disorder]] in the months thereafter, and that her doctor reported a "direct connection" between her death and the disaster without specifying whether or not she became physically ill as a result of the disaster or if illness was a factor in her death.<ref name=":0">[https://www.tubantia.nl/enschede/ziek-door-de-ramp-latifa-overleed-maanden-na-de-vuurwerkramp-maar-werd-slachtoffer-nummer-23~a4bc379e/?cb=2118b82d-7a42-4e27-8fac-7acd26808678&auth_rd=1 Ziek door de ramp: Latifa overleed maanden na de vuurwerkramp, maar werd slachtoffer nummer 23] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523004131/https://www.tubantia.nl/enschede/ziek-door-de-ramp-latifa-overleed-maanden-na-de-vuurwerkramp-maar-werd-slachtoffer-nummer-23~a4bc379e/?cb=2118b82d-7a42-4e27-8fac-7acd26808678&auth_rd=1 |date=23 May 2024 }} (Tubantia, 2005) (republished in 2020)</ref> A [[memorial]] at the site of the disaster lists her name along with the 22 victims included in the official death toll.

==Healthcare impact==
In 2005, a survey was published based on the electronic medical records of general practitioners, which compared 9,329 victims with a control sample size of 7,329 units ranging from 16 months before to 2.5 years after the disaster.

The study highlighted that "two and a half years post-disaster the prevalence of psychological problems in victims, who had to relocate, was about double and in the non-relocated victims one-third more than controls". Relocated victims showed the highest increase of [[medically unexplained physical symptoms]] ([[tiredness]], [[headache]], [[nausea]], and [[abdominal pain]]) and of [[gastrointestinal morbidity]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Yzermans|first1=C Joris|last2=Donker|first2=Gé A|first3=Jan J|last3=Kerssens|first4=Anja JE|last4=Dirkzwager|first5=Rik JH|last5=Soeteman|first6=Petra MH|last6=ten Veen|url=https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/34/4/820/692949?searchresult=1|title=Health problems of victims before and after disaster: a longitudinal study in general practice|journal=International Journal of Epidemiology|volume=34|issue=4|date=August 1, 2005|pages=820–826|doi=10.1093/ije/dyi096|pmid=15860632|oclc=503399877|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=14 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414112334/https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/34/4/820/692949?searchresult=1|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Legal proceedings==
On 20 May, Dutch authorities issued an international [[arrest warrant]] for the two managers of the company, Rudi Bakker and Willie Pater, after they fled their homes, which were empty when searched.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Arrest warrants for Enschede owners|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/754733.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2000-05-19|access-date = 2015-06-13|archive-date = 23 May 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240523004118/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/754733.stm|url-status = live}}</ref> Pater handed himself in on the same day, and Bakker the day after.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Dutch fireworks owner under custody|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/755881.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2000-05-19|access-date = 2015-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = Dutch police quiz fireworks factory owners|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/755868.stm|publisher = BBC News |date = 2000-05-20|access-date = 2015-06-13}}</ref>

In April 2002, the owners were sentenced to six months' imprisonment each for violation of environmental and safety regulations and dealing in illegal fireworks alongside a fine of €2,250 each. However, they were both acquitted of the more serious charges of [[negligence]] for the fire.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Dutch fireworks blast bosses sentenced|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1907090.stm|publisher = BBC News|date = 2002-04-02|access-date = 2015-06-13|archive-date = 16 February 2004|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040216235231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1907090.stm|url-status = live}}</ref>

In May 2003, Arnhem Appeals Court [[acquit]]ted 36-year-old André de Vries of [[arson]]. Almelo Court had originally (May 2002) tried and convicted De Vries of arson and sentenced him to 15 years [[imprisonment]].<ref name="expatica.com">[http://www.expatica.com/nl/news/local_news/enschede-remembers-deadly-fireworks-disaster-7519.html Expatica.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003052253/http://www.expatica.com/nl/news/local_news/enschede-remembers-deadly-fireworks-disaster-7519.html |date=3 October 2012 }}, accessdate 17 April 2009</ref>

In February 2005, after a four-and-a-half-year legal battle, the six-month sentence of each of the owners was increased to twelve months each.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Fireworks directors jailed for fatal explosion {{!}} Dutch News {{!}} Expatica the Netherlands|url = http://www.expatica.com/nl/news/country-news/Fireworks-directors-jailed-for-fatal-explosion_126119.html|website = expatica.com|access-date = 2015-06-13|date = 1 February 2005|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616065350/http://www.expatica.com/nl/news/country-news/Fireworks-directors-jailed-for-fatal-explosion_126119.html|archive-date = 2015-06-16|url-status = dead}}</ref>

A total of €8.5m in compensation was awarded to the victims of the explosion, according to the organisation in charge of distributing the compensation, the UPV, having assessed 3,519 claims.  Three hundred people received cash for incurring extra costs, 136 people received money for loss of income, and 1,477 people received compensation for health problems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2007/09/85m_paid_to_enschede_firework.php |title=Dutchnews.nl |publisher=Dutchnews.nl |date=2007-09-19 |access-date=2014-07-09 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517192752/http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2007/09/85m_paid_to_enschede_firework.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Dutch fire safety regulations==
[[Image:Enschede herdenkingsplaat Vuurwerkramp.jpg|thumb|A memorial of the disaster, outlining devastated areas around S.E. Fireworks]]

The S.E. Fireworks disaster led to intensified safety regulations in the Netherlands concerning the storage and sale of fireworks. The Roombeek area that was destroyed by the blast has since been rebuilt. Since the catastrophe, three illegal fireworks depots were closed down in the Netherlands.<ref name=WSWS />

==Memorials==
There have been annual public memorial services in Roombeek since 2000 led by the [[mayor]] [[Jan Mans]], and commonly ending on the [[Stroinksbleekweg]]. The theme of 2004 was "homecoming".<ref name="expatica.com"/>

In 2005 a memorial was unveiled at the site of the disaster, titled 'Het verdwenen huis tussen hemel en aarde' (The vanished house between heaven and earth) by [[Moldova|Moldavian]] artist [[Pavel Balta]]. Part of the memorial consists of the floor of the former storage depot, crushed into the crater created by the explosion.

==In popular culture==
The events of the disaster served as the inspiration of the mission "Explosion in fireworks factory" from ''[[Emergency 4: Global Fighters for Life]]''.<ref>As explained by series creator Ralph Stock in his Emergency 20 backstage videos</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==See also==
* [[Delft#Explosion|1654 Delft gunpowder explosion]]
* [[Leiden gunpowder disaster]] (1807)
* [[2000 in the Netherlands]]
* [[List of fireworks accidents and incidents]]
* [[List of industrial disasters]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Enschede fireworks disaster}} 
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/747674.stm In pictures: Firework blaze] – BBC News
* [https://maps.google.ca/?q=Enschede+(Overijssel),+Netherlands&ll=52.229731,6.895176&spn=0.003404,0.009645&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=28.109852,81.386719&t=k&om=1&hnear=Enschede,+Overijssel,+The+Netherlands&z=17 Satellite Map Imagery] – Google Maps

{{Fireworks accidents and incidents}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enschede Fireworks Disaster}}
[[Category:2000 disasters in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:2000 fires in Europe]]
[[Category:2000 in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:2000 industrial disasters]]
[[Category:Building and structure fires in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Events in Enschede]]
[[Category:Explosions in 2000]]
[[Category:Explosions in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Fireworks accidents and incidents]]
[[Category:History of Overijssel]]
[[Category:Industrial fires and explosions]]
[[Category:May 2000 in Europe]]
[[Category:Warehouse fires]]