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Two teenage boys held as Dutch police probe alleged 'snowball beating' death

Dutch police secure a shopping street in The Hague, 29 November, 2019
Dutch police secure a shopping street in The Hague, 29 November, 2019 Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By Gavin Blackburn
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According to local media outlet Rijnmond, police believe youths were throwing snowballs at passing cars which led to a physical altercation with the 60-year-old victim.

Dutch police arrested two teenaged boys on Thursday as they investigate the death of a 60-year-old man they believe was possibly assaulted after a row over snowballs.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of a disturbance in the western city of Schiedam but could not resuscitate the victim, who died on Monday.

Police identified the two teens from security camera footage and are questioning them to see what role they may have played.

"A fight may have broken out after snowballs were thrown and blows were exchanged," Dutch police said in a statement.

"The investigation is ongoing to determine exactly what they did or said," authorities added.

Windmill De Vlieger stands in a snowy field in the town of Voorburg on the outskirts of The Hague, 6 January, 2026
Windmill De Vlieger stands in a snowy field in the town of Voorburg on the outskirts of The Hague, 6 January, 2026 AP Photo

According to local media outlet Rijnmond, police believe youths were throwing snowballs at passing cars.

The victim allegedly made some comment about this which led to a physical altercation, Rijnmond reported.

Like much of western Europe, the Netherlands has been grappling with wintry weather as a result of Storm Goretti that has blanketed the country in snow, resulting in transport chaos.

Additional sources • AFP

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