Riot police move in after brawls and looting at Walibi Fright Nights in the Netherlands

What happened at the park

Police were called to Walibi Fright Nights in Biddinghuizen, the Netherlands, on Saturday evening, 24 October, after several fights broke out. Sources say the unrest began roughly an hour before closing time, when large groups of young people ignored calls from staff and security. Witnesses told local media that shops and food outlets were looted and damaged.

Police response

Officers used police dogs and batons to restore order, and the mobile riot unit (ME) was also deployed. A police spokesperson said the aim of the operation was to keep order and let calm return, and that part of the young people had to leave the park. Several people were reported injured, although sources did not establish how many.

Arrests and official statements

A police spokesperson told reporters on Sunday morning that no arrests had been made and that police would not share further details about the disturbances, referring questions to Walibi. A Walibi spokesperson confirmed that police had come to the park after unrest arose, but said the company could not yet comment on what exactly happened. Local outlets reported that the park had taken extra measures this year after disturbances at the same event last year.

The Fright Nights format

Walibi Nederland runs Fright Nights on the weekend of 24 and 25 October and again the following weekend. Costumed actors walk through the park in the evening to scare visitors, and the event draws thousands of visitors. Reports say the actors have complained in the past that they were regularly hit, groped and harassed by visitors.

Open questions

The cause of the unrest is not yet known, and it is not clear from the reports whether anyone was taken into custody beyond the statement that no arrests had been made. Social media posts from young people describe feeling unsafe during the disturbances. Police have not yet said what exactly happened or how many people were hurt.