Brussels fireworks display is dangerous

The fire service says that insufficient safety distances are being observed.

The fire service has advised against staging the fireworks display at this location, but the organisers do not intend to take any notice of this non-binding advice.

The fire service was asked to examine safety issues at the location where the New Year’s Eve fireworks display is being organised.

The fire service’s Eric Labourdette: “We studied the situation and came to the conclusion that it was dangerous. We’re strongly advising against the staging of a fireworks display here.”

The City of Brussels and Brussels Major Events (BME), a not-for-profit organisation, do not plan to abandon the display. BME’s Olivier Mees told the daily Le Soir: “An event with so many people together is never without risk, but safety will be guaranteed.”

The fire service’s Eric Labourdette believes that by getting BME to organise the event the city authorities are shirking their responsibility.

Flandersnews.be / Expatica

Fewer Romanians, Bulgarians moved to the Netherlands than expected Jobs December 31, 2014 passportsClaims that tens of thousands of Romanian and Bulgarian nationals would flock to the Netherlands after border controls were lifted at the beginning of this year have proved unfounded, Trouw reports on Wednesday. In total, 7,500 Romanians and 3,300 Bulgarians moved to the Netherlands to work in 2014, the paper says. It bases its claim on social affairs ministry figures. Poles accounted for the biggest group of new arrivals this year. In total, 57,000 moved to the Netherlands, Trouw is quoted as saying by website nu.nl.

Read more at DutchNews.nl: Fewer Romanians, Bulgarians moved to the Netherlands than expected http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2014/12/fewer-romanians-bulgarians-moved-to-the-netherlands-than-expected.php/