Europe

Explosive attack at Dutch COVID-19 testing centre was deliberate: Police

Dutch police say a coronavirus testing center in the North of the Netherlands was deliberately targeted following an explosion at the site.

The explosion in Bovenkarspel early Wednesday morning shattered windows but caused no injuries, North Holland province police said in a statement.

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The explosive “must be placed there,” police spokesman Menno Hartenberg told Reuters news agency.

Hartenberg said “something metal” caused the explosion.

“We do not yet know exactly what exploded. The explosives experts must first investigate,” he added.

Officers cordoned off the area while investigating, public broadcaster NOS reported.

According to NOS, the test appointments in Bovenkarspel were also canceled on Wednesday morning.

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Recent riots
The blast follows the worst unrest the Netherlands has experienced in decades, with many angry at strict restrictions to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year, the government introduced a night watch, the first to be implemented in the Netherlands since World War II.

The measure took effect on January 23 and led to several days of riots.

The protests gripped several cities and saw rioters setting fire to a COVID test center in Urk, a northern town.

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Police vasgeklim and hundreds of protesters were arrested. Many have already been sentenced by Dutch courts.

The evening clock runs daily from 09:00 to 04:30 and will expire on March 15 – two days before the general election.

The government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte won a court case last week over the use of emergency powers to install the measure.

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The evening clock is part of a strict lockdown in which pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops have been closed for months.

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