Six people were killed in the truck accident that occurred when it crashed into a neighborhood barbeque in a village south of Rotterdam after driving over a dike, and seven more were hospitalised, including one in serious condition, according to police.
According to officials, three men and three women ranging in age from 28 to 75 were killed.
The truck driver, a 46-year-old Spaniard, is accused of causing the collision that occurred early Saturday evening in the village of Nieuw-Beijerland, according to police spokesperson Mirjam Boers. His identity was kept secret in accordance with Dutch privacy rules.
The man’s huge truck left a narrow country road, careened down the embankment of the dike, and crashed into the village gathering. Boers said that the driver was not affected by drinking at the time of the collision.
“We are investigating what could have happened,” Boers said.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said in a tweet that they were shocked by the accident that they said caused “an unimaginable sadness in this close-knit community. The affected families are in our thoughts and we wish the injured strength on their way to as good a recovery as possible.”
Saturday night, forensic investigators worked around the vehicle where it had halted at the base of the dike. Later, a crane and tow vehicle returned it to the roadway.
Photographs of the scene revealed bunting strung between trees and chairs strewn around trestle tables with dishes still in place.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte also expressed sadness in a tweet, saying, “My thoughts go out to the victims and next of kin of this terrible drama. I wish them much strength.”
Mayor Charlie Aptroot visited the scene on Saturday evening.
“My condolences go out to the victims, their families, eyewitnesses and first responders,” he said in a statement.
He added that he had spoken to many of the people at the scene and expressed “appreciation for the way in which people are there for each other.”