On the afternoon of December 7, more than 400 people gathered at the Adventkerk Church in The Hague to attend a memorial ceremony for the deadly explosion that occurred a year ago on Tarwekamp Street in the Mariahoeve district, to express their grief and remembrance. A year ago, the disaster claimed six innocent lives, including a Chinese family of three living in the Netherlands: 45-year-old overseas Chinese Hu Ren'ai, his 41-year-old wife Li Xinyan, and their 17-year-old daughter Hu Yujing (Sofia). Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, attended and delivered a speech. Zhang Yi, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was also present.

At the memorial service

Mayor Van Zanen delivered a speech. “I will never forget 7 December. What happened a year ago is still unbelievable to this day,” he said. He recalled the scene he witnessed when he arrived at the site first thing on the morning of the disaster. “I stood in total darkness, filled with smoke and shattered glass every. The smell of burning will linger in my memory forever,” he stated. He called the deaths of six people an immense loss. “Our thoughts are also with the injured, with those who lost loved ones, lost their homes, and those who are haunted by the explosion every day.”

The mayor praised the solidarity among the public, with special mention of the Chinese community.“Some actions have touched us deeply. I think of the Chinese community, of those uplifting moments, and of all emergency services personnel. It was a warm blanket covering Mariahoeve.”

Relatives of the Chinese victims — Wendy Hu, sister of Hu Ren’ai, her family, relatives and friends, as well as the victims’ young son Kevin Hu — attended the memorial.A video message from Wendy Hu was played during the ceremony, accompanied by warm and touching moments from the victims’ lives.Her voice cracked with emotion, yet remained firm and sincere.

“Some say the loss of a loved one is a violent storm in life, but it is also a lifetime of lingering sorrow. On every day of family re filled with laughter and joy, tears will unrelentingly fill your eyes. Only those who have experienced this can understand the pain of losing loved ones.Right now I only appeal: may a fair and just trial be held as soon as possible, so that those hateful criminals may be punished without delay. May justice be served for my brother, his wife and daughter, and the three neighbours. May they truly rest in peace in heaven. May those who break the law be taught a lesson, and may such illegal incidents never happen again.”

Screenshot from the video played at the scene

She also expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Embassy, Chinese community organizations, relatives and friends, volunteers, caring individuals, as well as local government and social aid organizations.“Thank you for your great love and support; you have warmed my heart.”She wished that “good people will be safe all their lives.”Wendy’s speech was powerful and deeply moving. It was not only her personal grief and that of the victims’ families, but also a strong call for justice, safety and fairness.

A video of Kevin Hu singing was also played at the ceremony, expressing his endless longing for his father, mother and sister.In particular, the line “One must learn to be strong in this world” sung in his innocent young voice touched everyone’s heart and filled the scene with sorrow.

Family members of the victims, local residents and emergency rescue workers spoke one after another, describing the terrifying situation in the aftermath of the incident, recalling the beautiful moments spent with their loved ones, expressing their endless grief, and thanking everyone for their support during those difficult times.

During the memorial service, the names of the victims were read out one by one, followed by the lighting of candles and a minute of silence by all present.

The names of the three Chinese family members who lost their lives were read out, followed by the lighting of candles.

Chen Long, Executive President of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands, Hu Minsheng, President of the Chinese General Association of the Netherlands, as well as presidents and representatives of relevant Chinese community organizations and overseas Chinese leaders attended the memorial service and offered their condolences to the bereaved family of the Chinese victims.

“A year has passed, yet the pain has not faded. We have lost not just three fellow compatriots, but the wholeness and future of an entire family. They were once part of our warm community; their absence leaves an unhealable wound in the hearts of overseas Chinese,” Chen Long stated. “We will always remember these innocent lives. We will continue to stand with all who cherish peace and firmly oppose all forms of violence and hatred. May the deceased rest in peace, and may the living stay strong.”

Shortly after the explosion one year ago, the Chinese community in the Netherlands quickly launched fundraising and relief efforts, providing financial and psychological support to the bereaved families and affected residents, including the Chinese family, demonstrating the warmth and solidarity of the Chinese community.

Condolences to the Chinese bereaved families

Some Chinese participants in the memorial event took a group photo with Wendy Hu and Kevin Hu.

On the early morning of December 7, 2024, an explosive device and 200 liters of gasoline were detonated near Tarwekamp Street. The blast caused the roof collapse of five units in a three-story commercial and residential duplex building, followed by a gas pipeline explosion and a large fire at the scene. The incident killed six people and injured five.The attack targeted the wedding dress shop belonging to the main suspect’s ex-girlfriend. Police have arrested the main perpetrator and three other suspects involved in the case.

The video played at the scene was provided by Wendy Hu.