Ypres (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Arro Ypres police closed part of the Grote Markt on New Year’s Eve due to fireworks. Incidents involved youths and cars, but no injuries were reported anywhere in Ypres.
As VRT News reported, on New Year’s Eve in Ypres, several officers of the Ypres police zone were dispatched to the city centre as a result of numerous fireworks activities. The Ypres Police partially closed the ‘Grote Markt’ area – specifically the section between the Menenstraat and Rijselsestraat. Officers used this measure to help with traffic control, in addition to keeping the large gatherings of spectators out of harm’s way.
What led police to close part of Ypres Grote Markt on New Year’s Eve?
A large display of fireworks was shot into the sky above the Ypres Christmas Market at midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. The market had already been closed, and many people were not there to witness the fireworks. Some of the fireworks burnt out before they reached their maximum elevation and burst just above the ground; many fell below the level of passing cars.
Police monitored the area closely. At one point, a group of young people on the Grote Markt began throwing heavy fireworks at each other. Officers intervened immediately to stop the behaviour. No injuries were reported.
Fireworks were also heard in other parts of the city centre throughout the night. Loud explosions echoed in several streets. According to police, no injuries or incidents were reported in those areas.
Multiple neighbouring municipalities have experienced issues during the countdown celebrations around New Year’s (Ypres being one of them). On December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024, the Arro Ypres police department had to intervene several times due to unsafe firework use throughout the city’s central area. Fireworks were also thrown in 2022 on December 31, leading to temporary closures of sections of the Grote Markt due to the presence of crowds and vehicles involved with those fireworks.
