Court hears relatives’ and survivors’ statements at Tarwekamp trial

On the second day of the trial over the deadly Tarwekamp explosion in The Hague, judges read out statements from relatives of those killed and from survivors, including an eight-year-old boy who lost his parents and sister.

The blast and the collapse of a bridal shop on 7 December 2024 killed six people in the Mariahoeve neighbourhood. Four people are on trial over the explosion.

The boy woke to a loud bang, heard his father calling for help and escaped through the branch of a tree before a firefighter rescued him, the court heard. His aunt said he held himself together when told his family had died, but cried later when he realised he would also have to change schools.

The judge also read a statement from the wife of a 44-year-old victim, who lives in Greece with their three children. “His loss touches me every second of my life,” she said. “My life as a human being is over. I live like a robot.”

A café owner said gambling machines had protected him during the collapse, describing them as hanging “like a bridge” above him. A friend who was with him was rescued and spent five days in a coma.

Two defendants expressed regret. Mourad B., 31, is accused of carrying out the attack. His nephew Ilias B., 25, described as a suspected co-perpetrator, said he went to bed and woke up thinking about it every day. Moshtag B., 35, the suspected organiser, said he regretted the consequences. Prosecutors allege he wanted revenge on his former girlfriend by destroying her bridal shop.

A fourth defendant, Adil A., 34, faces a lesser charge and was not said to have been at the scene. Addressing victims and relatives in court, he said: “My words have no value. I can only offer the truth.”

Victims are due to speak in more detail next week.