Last week, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands issued the following statement via the Dutch Royal House website concerning the tragedy in Apeldoorn on Queen’s Day (April 30th).
“What began as a beautiful day ended in a terrible tragedy that shocked us all deeply. People who were there, those who saw the incident on television, anyone who witnessed it could only look on in stunned disbelief. We are left speechless at the idea that such a terrible thing could happen. My family and I, and I think everyone in the country, feel deeply for the victims, their families and friends, and all those who were affected by this incident.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, seven people died and ten more were injured, some of the survivors were listed in serious condition.
The queen, along with the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima and Princess Margriet, comforted the survivors and family members of the victims whilst visiting hospitals in Zwolle, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Tilburg and Arnhem last Saturday.
A memorial service was held for the victims of the Apeldoorn tragedy in the Theater Orpheus this evening. Queen Beatrix, several members of the Dutch Royal Family and Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende were in attendance.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Queen Beatrix Consoles Her People after Apeldoorn Tragedy
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Queen’s Day Tragedy in Apeldoorn
Queen’s Day celebrations in the Netherlands came to an abrupt halt today when a car demolished police barricades and careened into a throng of people at the cordoned off intersection of Jachtlaan and Amersfoortseweg. The crowd was waiting for the appearance of Queen Beatrix and her family. The Dutch royals saw the tragedy unfold as they turned onto Zwolseweg headed toward the Palais Het Loo in an open-air bus. The Prince of Orange and his wife, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, watched in horror as the car crumpled against the fence of a large monument called “De Naald” (The Needle) right in front of them. Willem put his arm around Máxima as she covered in mouth in disbelief.
The queen issued a video statement via her website sending her condolences for those killed and injured in the tragedy.
Below is a BBC news clip reporting on the tragedy in Apeldoorn.
The NOS article, “Vijfde dode na aanslag Koninginnedag Apeldoorn,” and video clips of the tragedy in Apeldoorn can be viewed here.
Photo: REUTERS
