APELDOORN, Netherlands — Bright skies and a festive Queen’s Day mood brought thousands to a street corner in this leafy Dutch town to greet their popular monarch, many of them wearing the bright orange national colors and funny orange wigs.As Queen Beatrix and her family passed by in an open bus, a black car burst through police barriers, catapulting spectators into the air before it slammed into a stone monument.
Five people were killed and 13 wounded as the queen and her family looked on in disbelief Thursday. The car passed within a few yards of their bus, but none of the royals were hurt.
The motive for the attack was unclear. But Dutch media, citing neighbors, said the assailant was recently fired and was to be evicted from his home. Police identified him as a 38-year-old Dutch man with no history of mental illness or police record, but would not release his name.
The driver apparently acted alone and was not linked to any terrorist or ideological group, authorities said. No explosives were found in his car or in his home.
Celebrations were canceled for Queen’s Day, a national holiday that draws millions of people to parades, picnics and outdoor parties around the country. Flags were lowered to half staff.
"What began as a great day has ended in a terrible tragedy that has shocked us all deeply,” Queen Beatrix said later in a brief televised address and extended her sympathies to the victims.
Journalist Peter von de Vorst told RTL television the incident unfolded like a horror film."It was a really nice day. Then you hear a bang. Everyone looks up and you see people flying through the air. This must be a joke or a strange prank. Then suddenly panic, and you realize that something really terrible has happened,” he said.
by the associated press
Five people were killed and 13 wounded as the queen and her family looked on in disbelief Thursday. The car passed within a few yards of their bus, but none of the royals were hurt.
The motive for the attack was unclear. But Dutch media, citing neighbors, said the assailant was recently fired and was to be evicted from his home. Police identified him as a 38-year-old Dutch man with no history of mental illness or police record, but would not release his name.
The driver apparently acted alone and was not linked to any terrorist or ideological group, authorities said. No explosives were found in his car or in his home.
Celebrations were canceled for Queen’s Day, a national holiday that draws millions of people to parades, picnics and outdoor parties around the country. Flags were lowered to half staff.
"What began as a great day has ended in a terrible tragedy that has shocked us all deeply,” Queen Beatrix said later in a brief televised address and extended her sympathies to the victims.
Journalist Peter von de Vorst told RTL television the incident unfolded like a horror film."It was a really nice day. Then you hear a bang. Everyone looks up and you see people flying through the air. This must be a joke or a strange prank. Then suddenly panic, and you realize that something really terrible has happened,” he said.
by the associated press
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