Tagged with world war ii
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AMSTERDAM (BNO NEWS) — A disruption during a Remembrance of the Dead ceremony in Amsterdam caused panic among the thousands of visitors, injuring dozens of people and forcing security offers to escort Queen Beatrix hastily from the scene.
The incident happened on the Dam Square in Amsterdam during two minutes of silence to remember those who died during World War II. An unidentified 39-year-old man was heard screaming a text before a loud sound was heard.
People were screaming and a large crowd of people fled away in panic, pushing people to the ground and climbing over gates. Parents were seen carrying children away as the Royal Family, who were targeted in an attack just over a year ago, quickly evacuated to safety.
Prime Minister Balkenende said the incident appears to be deliberate. At a news conference, Amsterdam police said more than 50 people were injured, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Queen Beatrix and Princess Maxima were visiting the injured at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, where some of the injured were taken.
“Officers noticed during the memorial a man who spread his arms and heard an unintelligible text,” a statement from Amsterdam police read. “The man was arrested after which the crowd panicked.” Police said a second man, who dropped a suitcase, was also arrested but later released when it turned out he dropped the suitcase in panic and was not involved. Some people screamed “bomb, run!” because of the suitcase.
Police said the suspect – who is being held on a charge of disorderly conduct – has a long criminal record of theft and violence and drugs-related offenses. Dutch law would force police to release the man on Wednesday morning, unless additional charges are filed.
Police are still trying to find out what the man said to see if any additional charges may be filed.
Many of those who panicked feared an attack as happened on April 30, 2009 when a man drove his car at high speed into a parade which included the royal family. That attack killed 7 people and injured 10 others. The attackers, Karst Tates, also died.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
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AMSTERDAM (BNO NEWS) — A disruption during a Remembrance of the Dead ceremony in Amsterdam caused panic among the thousands of visitors, injuring dozens of people. The royal family evacuated to safety as two men were taken into custody.
The incident happened on the Dam Square in Amsterdam during two minutes of silence to remember those who died during World War II. An unidentified man was heard screaming a text before a loud sound was heard.
People were screaming and a large crowd of people fled away in panic, pushing people to the ground and climbing over gates. Parents were seen carrying children away as the Royal Family, who were targeted in an attack just over a year ago, evacuated to safety.
Prime Minister Balkenende, who said the incident appears to be deliberate, said at least 30 people were injured, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Queen Beatrix and Princess Maxima were visiting the injured at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, where the injured were taken.
“Officers noticed during the memorial a man who spread his arms and heard an unintelligible text,” a statement from Amsterdam police read. “The man was arrested after which the crowd panicked.” Police said a second man, who dropped a suitcase, was also arrested.
Police are investigating the incident and will hold a news conference around 10.45 p.m. local time.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
LEEUWARDEN, NETHERLANDS (BNO NEWS) — A Dutch Defense bomb squad dismantled four World War II bombs at an air base in northern the Netherlands on Thursday, the country’s Ministry of Defense said.
The four British-made 500-pounders from the Second World War were first discovered in January near Leeuwarden Air Base. On Thursday, the Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD) dismantled the bombs in what was described as a ‘unique’ operation.
A total of 154 people at nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution during the operation, which began at 10 a.m. local time. The bombs have since been taken to Den Helder, where they will be destroyed at a local time.
Leeuwarden Air Base was used by German fighters during the occupation of the Netherlands and was frequently bombed by the British Royal Air Force because of its position in the north.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
CHANDLER, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) — A small World War II-era fighter aircraft crashed into a hangar at Stellar Airpark in Chandler, Arizona on Thursday, federal officials said.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said the plane crashed under unknown circumstances around 1.20 p.m. local time.
Federal records show the 1944-build aircraft, a North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, was registered to Hirani Oil Arizona, LLC based in Chandler. The aircraft, which was used to support raids over Germany, was capable of carrying only the pilot.
“FAA investigators are en route ot the scene now,” Gregor said.
The pilot is believed to have died in the crash.
CHANDLER, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) — A single engine World War II-era plane crashed into a hangar at Stellar Airpark in Chandler, Arizona on Thursday, federal officials said.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said the plane crashed under unknown circumstances around 1.20 p.m. local time. “At least one hangar is on fire,” Gregor said. “FAA investigators are en route ot the scene now.”
It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.
