Vlaardingen mayor shuts barber shop after second explosion
The mayor of Vlaardingen closed a hairdresser's shop for at least two weeks after an explosive device was thrown at it, the latest in a series of attacks on barbers in the Dutch town.
Update ·
Mayor closes the targeted hairdresser's shop for at least two weeks after the explosion.
Also in:Nederlands
Vlaardingen's mayor, Frederik Zevenbergen, closed a hairdresser's shop on the Westhavenkade for at least two weeks after an explosion there on Sunday night, the latest in a series of blasts targeting barber shops that regional broadcaster Rijnmond has dubbed a "kappersoorlog", or barbers' war.
Police believe attackers threw bricks at the shop's facade before throwing an explosive device through the broken window, newspaper AD reported. A large firework known as a Cobra 20, about the size of three hands, was found unexploded outside the shop's door after the blast, which happened at around 23:00.
An upstairs neighbour, whose wife was due to give birth any day, narrowly avoided injury: he had been standing at the top of the stairs moments before debris and plasterwork fell where he had been. The explosion cracked walls near the stairs and upstairs in the flat, AD reported. No injuries were reported.
The shop, now called Milan Gold, previously traded under the name Baz, the same name as a salon on the Liesveld that was targeted by explosions in May and August before relocating to Vlaardingen-Oost, according to AD. The mayor closed that earlier Liesveld shop in May after it was repeatedly targeted.
Vlaardingen's council is also planning to introduce a permit requirement for hairdressers in the town centre from 2027, giving the authorities more power to vet business owners in advance, Zevenbergen said; a final decision is due at a budget meeting on 3 and 5 November. ONS.Vlaardingen, the largest party on the council, said it would put formal questions to the mayor about the attacks on Thursday.
Police said they are investigating each incident separately to avoid tunnel vision, while also checking for a possible link between them. No arrests have been reported and officers have not named a suspect or a motive.
What we know
- Vlaardingen's mayor closed a hairdresser's shop on the Westhavenkade for at least two weeks after an explosion there on Sunday night.
- Police believe bricks were thrown at the shop's facade before an explosive device was thrown inside; an unexploded Cobra 20 firework was found outside.
- An upstairs neighbour narrowly avoided injury when debris fell near where he had just been standing; no injuries were reported.
- The shop previously traded as Baz, sharing its name with an earlier-targeted Liesveld salon that was also closed by the mayor, in May.
- The council plans to require hairdressers in the centre to hold a permit from 2027.
Not yet confirmed
- Unconfirmed Who was behind the explosion or any motive
- Unconfirmed Whether the Westhavenkade and Liesveld incidents are connected
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Why it matters for Europe
This is the latest in a series of unexplained explosions and vandalism targeting hairdressers' shops in Vlaardingen since May, a pattern serious enough that the mayor has now closed two separate salons and the council is moving to require permits for the trade. Police say they are still working out whether the incidents are connected rather than coincidental, leaving residents and other business owners on the affected streets without an explanation.
Live updates
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Mayor closes the targeted hairdresser's shop for at least two weeks after the explosion.
First published.
Sources
Reported by 5 reports from 5 independent outlets in 2 countries.
- Het Nieuwsblad: Explosie bij kapperszaak in Vlaardingen in Nederland
- Gazet van Antwerpen: Explosie bij kapperszaak in Vlaardingen in Nederland
- De Telegraaf: Explosie bij kapperszaak in Vlaardingen, mogelijk gelinkt aan ’kappersoorlog’
- RTL Nieuws: Kappersoorlog in Vlaardingen? Opnieuw schade na explosie
- AD: Ravage na explosie bij Vlaardingse kapsalon, babykamer van jong gezin in puin: ‘Angst is niet zomaar weg’
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Questions and answers
- Was anyone hurt in the Vlaardingen explosion?
- No injuries were reported, though an upstairs neighbour narrowly avoided being hit by falling debris, according to AD.
- What action did the mayor take?
- Mayor Frederik Zevenbergen closed the targeted hairdresser's shop, Milan Gold, for at least two weeks.
- Has anyone been arrested?
- No arrest has been reported; police are investigating the explosion and looking for any link to earlier incidents at other Vlaardingen barber shops.
This article was written with AI assistance from 5 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.