Two suspects at Tarwekamp ‘previously caught with heavy fireworks and jerry cans’

Two of the four suspects involved in the explosions at the Tarwekamp in The Hague were probably arrested a week before the attack on suspicion of preparing a crime, reports Omroep Brabant.

These are two men aged 23 and 29 from Roosendaal. According to Omroep Brabant, they were arrested in the middle of the night in a parking lot at a shopping center in Oosterhout. There they were in a van with the engine running and the lights on.

When officers checked the car, they found 14 jerry cans with an unknown content, heavy fireworks, flares, a fire extinguisher and extra clothing. The men were arrested and the van and goods were seized.

The age and place of residence of the men correspond to those of two suspects in the attack on the porch apartment at Tarwekamp in The Hague. It is not clear when they were released again.

The two other suspects of involvement in the explosions at the Tarwekamp are a 33-year-old man from Rotterdam and a 33-year-old man from Oosterhout. All four suspects remain in custody for the time being. This was determined by the examining magistrate, before whom they were brought today. They will remain in custody for at least another 14 days.

The four are suspected of arson and causing an explosion that killed six people and injured four.

They are also suspected of setting a car on fire and are said to have previously made preparations to start a fire.

The explosions in the apartment killed six people on Saturday, including three people from one family. A bridal fashion store on the ground floor was probably the target, according to police.

Several houses have collapsed. Nineteen households cannot return home for the time being. Fourteen households have been temporarily housed in vacant homes in the neighborhood by a housing association. The others were able to arrange shelter themselves.

The four suspects are under full restrictions, meaning they are only allowed to have contact with their lawyer.