The damage caused to private homes and property during the New Year fireworks frenzy amounted to approximately €16 million, the Dutch insurance association VvV reported on Thursday.

The figures also indicate that there was less damage in areas where a firework ban had been implemented, although the bans were widely ignored. In total, 19 towns and cities enforced a firework ban this year, and around 100 established firework-free zones.

In both cases, there was an increase in damage to private cars, although vehicles in firework-free zones experienced less damage overall.

Dutch safety board VeiligheidNL stated shortly after the celebrations that firework-free zones had not reduced firework-related injuries. Moreover, in Rotterdam, where fireworks are banned, there were more injuries this year compared to previous years.

Despite appeals from doctors, MPs, the police, and the fire brigade, the government has said it has no plans to introduce nationwide legislation banning fireworks.

A final damage figure will be released later this year. The VvV’s own statistics indicate this year’s damage is on a par with 2019, and the second highest in 10 years.