Lightly classified fireworks, intended for consumers, are much more dangerous than thought in the event of a fire in a storage facility. Even with these 'lightly' classified fireworks, there is a danger of mass explosion, and this has implications for extinguishing instructions. That is one of the main conclusions of the research team from Department of Public Administration at the University of Twente, which was commissioned by the Lower House to investigate how the government can better learn lessons from disasters such as the Enschede and Culemborg fireworks disasters. The researchers also found that there was much more at play in central government in the run-up to the Enschede fireworks disaster than previously revealed. (see article)
INVESTIGATION INTO FIREWORKS DISASTER
On behalf of the Lower House, the UT Department of Public Administration conducted independent research last year into the Enschede fireworks disaster of 13 May 2000 and the Culemborg fireworks disaster (1991). The central question was how the government can better learn lessons from similar disasters. On behalf of the UT, René Torenvlied, Simon Couwenberg and Michiel Heldeweg conducted the research, together with Matthijs Moorkamp (Radboud University). The reason for the study was the adopted motion by then SP MP Renske Leijten. This called for the "findings of whistleblower Paul van Buitenen to be included in an independent investigation into the Enschede fireworks disaster and its handling". (interview in U-today)
RESEARCH TEAM
