There is an investigation into whether the power outage that disrupted train traffic around Schiphol on Tuesday is directly related to the NATO summit. Earlier in the day, the police already said they were taking a crime into account.
Caretaker Minister David van Weel (Justice and Security) said earlier in the day that sabotage could be involved. This was already taken into account because of the NATO summit.
The VVD minister is “in close contact with the police and is kept informed of any developments.”
The NATO summit is being organized by the Netherlands for the first time in history. The government leaders of the alliance will meet in The Hague on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agenda includes increasing defense spending.
Police call on witnesses to come forward
The power outage on the railway was caused by a fire on the night from Monday to Tuesday. The fire has severely damaged at least thirty cables.
Traces have been found in the area that suggest a crime. The police cannot say what kind of traces are involved. The police are looking at camera footage from the area, but no one has been arrested yet. Witnesses are being called upon to come forward.
The problems on the railway to and from Schiphol from Utrecht and Amsterdam will continue until at least 11 p.m. In addition, no trains will run between Woerden and Gouda Goverwelle for the rest of the day due to a defective overhead line.