Police in Belgium last night received an official notification from the Netherlands in which mention is made of a possible attack during the fireworks of the Four Day Marches in Nijmegen. This confirms an employee of the OCAD, the Belgian variant of the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTB)
The report came out that the mayor immediately decided to exercise in Ghent, Belgium. In his city was Sunday evening also includes a fireworks show for the opening of the Ghent Festivities. ,, There was 22 hours of an international message that there was a threat against a fireworks display in Nijmegen, '' the Ghent Mayor Daniel Termont told the Flemish channel VTM.
,, Ghent was never mentioned. But the police chief then we decided to have an exercise that we had made, perform as if it were a threat against Gent on paper. "
According to the mayor was the source of the message, the FBI, the US intelligence. The Belgian OCAD just want to confirm that the message comes from the Netherlands. The fireworks in Nijmegen otherwise proceeded without incident.
Not serious
The director of the Four Days, Teddy Vrijmoet, admits that there was a threat, but was not impressed. ,, There was indeed a threat but it was not serious. Not so serious that we had to take action. I've been told. There are always these stories, not only in this week. These are all seriously investigated. Last week there was also the message on a map of the Pink Wednesday. That was not serious. "
The Dutch authorities, including the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security did last night not respond to the statements made by the mayor of Ghent and the confirmation by the OCAD.
We take everything seriously
The Nijmegen mayor Bruls acknowledges that he has received a message. ,, We could soon conclude that this is not serious. And then I can easily say that was true because nothing has happened. We have taken additional measures, including further to Nice. That was above all visible police.
A helicopter, extra uniforms on both sides of the quay. But we have to realize: that's cosmetic. If someone really wants to hurt, it can also do harm. I also understand that the people involved. But this kind of information we get lots inside. It often involves people who want attention. It also exchanged many on social media. But as I said, we take everything seriously. '
Last week it became clear that anonymous rough notes were delivered to the Gelderlander and the police which warned of an attack. After the attack in Nice last week that left 84 dead, showed police chief Erik Akerboom already know that there were examined the safety of the Marches, but that there was no specific threat against the event.
By Editorial AD Photo: Reuters
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