Police in the Netherlands faced an 'unprecedented amount of violence' during New Year's Eve, with officers being pelted by fireworks and other explosives. The Vondelkerk, a 19th-century church in Amsterdam, caught fire early on New Year's Day. The cause of the blaze is still unknown. This historic church, built in 1872, overlooks the city's largest park, Vondelpark. In Rotterdam, a 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man died in fireworks-related incidents. In nearby Germany, two 18-year-olds died after setting off homemade fireworks, according to police in Bielefeld. Nine Kooiman, head of the Dutch Police Union, said she was hit by fireworks during her shift in Amsterdam. She described the violence as 'unprecedented.' Police and firefighters faced attacks nationwide, including petrol bombs thrown at police in Breda. Rotterdam's eye hospital treated 14 patients, with 10 minors among them, for eye injuries caused by fireworks. Two of these patients needed surgery. In Amsterdam, the 50-metre high tower of the Vondelkerk collapsed. While the church roof was badly damaged, officials said the main structure should remain intact. The neo-Gothic basilica was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers, who also designed the Rijksmuseum. The Dutch government plans to ban unofficial fireworks starting in 2026. Despite this, the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association said a record €129 million (£112 million) was spent on fireworks this year.