Dutch New Year celebrations report rising number of incidents

The Netherlands reported a total of 8,400 incidents during the New Year celebrations, up 23 percent compared to last year, officials said Wednesday. Fireworks-related incidents accounted for 29 percent while 38 percent are fires and explosions, said Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten at a press conference. In several places firefighters were made impossible to work due to aggressive behavior, and paramedics and firefighters had to seek the assistance of the police in order to do their work, Opstelten said. "Also, more police officers and other emergency workers were threatened with violence," the minister added. A total of 108 incidents of violence against aid workers were reported, up from last year's 81 incidents, the figures showed. Around 800 people have been arrested in connection with the incidents.