Royal Watch News
Queen Beatrix escapes mob
May 5, 2010, 12:03 GMT
Holland's Queen Beatrix had to be rushed to safety during annual Memorial Day celebrations yesterday (04.05.10).
The monarch - who was paying tribute to victims of World War II - was escorted to a side street on Amsterdam's Dam Square during the two minutes of silence after a 39-year-old man caused a public disturbance.
Amsterdam's Police Commissioner Bernard Welten said the screaming suspect "made a confused impression after his arrest", indicating he might have psychological problems.
Footage of the incident shows the screaming man causing panic amongst the crowd, before a police fence falls over with a crash which sounded similar to a gun shot.
Another man later dropped a suitcase in fright adding to the confusion and causing members of the crowd to think a bomb had gone off.
A number of people were hurt during the incident, with injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to broken bones.
The Dutch royal eventually returned to the ceremony once the scuffle had broken up and laid a wreath at the city's central war monument.
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