A private initiative to ban private individuals from buying and setting off fireworks is likely to gather enough support to be discussed in parliament, reports Trouw on Thursday.

Some 31,000 people have already put their names to the digital petition launched by two local councillors – one from Rotterdam and one from The Hague.
They say councils should organise official New Year firework displays, as happens in Rotterdam, and that private individuals should no longer be allowed to light them. Every year, thousands of people are injured by fireworks during the New Year celebrations. Several buildings also burn down.
If the draft bill attracts 40,000 signatories it must be discussed in parliament. The organisers expect to reach that total by May.

For a report on this year’s New Year festivities, click here