SCHIEDAM, Netherlands — Dutch police arrested two teenage boys as they investigated the death of a 60-year-old man following a suspected assault that may have begun with a dispute over snowballs, authorities said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in the city of Schiedam but were unable to resuscitate the man, who died Monday, police said. Investigators identified the teenagers through CCTV footage and took them into custody for questioning to determine what role they may have played in the incident.
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“A fight may have broken out after snowballs were thrown, and blows were exchanged,” Dutch police said in a statement, noting that the precise sequence of events remained under investigation.
Local media outlet Rijnmond reported that police believe a group of teenagers had been throwing snowballs at passing cars. The man reportedly made comments about the behavior, after which an altercation took place, Rijnmond said. Authorities did not immediately provide further details about the individuals involved.
The arrests came as the Netherlands, like much of western Europe, grappled with wintry weather that has blanketed the country in snow and caused transport chaos. The conditions have disrupted daily life nationwide and created hazards on roads and sidewalks, contributing to tense encounters in some communities.
Police in Schiedam said they are reviewing available footage and interviewing those present to establish whether a physical confrontation preceded the man’s death and to determine whether any criminal offenses occurred. No additional information about potential charges was released.
The episode has drawn attention in the Rotterdam-region city, where officers are working to piece together what began as a snowball dispute and ended in a fatality. Authorities urged patience as forensic findings and witness accounts are analyzed to clarify how the encounter unfolded.
The case highlights the strains that extreme weather can put on public spaces in the Netherlands, where heavy snow is relatively infrequent. Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and said updates would be provided as more facts are confirmed.
Anyone with information captured on doorbell cameras or phones in the area surrounding the incident is encouraged to contact local authorities, Rijnmond reported.
Schiedam police did not release the identity of the victim. The two teenagers remain in custody as detectives continue to examine CCTV footage and statements related to the snowball incident.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
