Netherlands: Fear of being submerged persists 70 years after deadly tidal wave
By France24
27 June 2023 |
7:52 am
In 1953, a gigantic storm swept across the North Sea and caused a tidal wave in the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. Many dykes controlling water levels were simply swept away as the water spread far inland. While more than 300 people died in the UK, more than 1,800 lost their lives in the Netherlands. At the time, around a fifth of the Netherlands was below sea level. More than 2,000 square kilometres of land were flooded there, including almost the entire province of Zeeland.
In this article
Related
Related
5 Sep 2022
Europe's top human rights body, not connected to the EU, has criticized the Netherlands over the handling of migrants at the Ter Apel asylum center.
4 Oct 2022
The Dutch capital Amsterdam has approved a plan to accommodate at least one thousand migrants on a cruise ship moored in the city's port, as the Netherlands seeks to end an accommodation crisis saw asylum seekers sleeping outside a reception center.
24 Dec 2022
Prime Minister Mark Rutte is due to deliver a speech in The Hague, with other ministers traveling to former Dutch colonies for the event. Some affected nations and groups have criticized the move.
20 Dec 2022
Traveling alone is increasingly common in Germany and Europe. From clubbing holidays to rooming with strangers, tour operators are adapting to the trend.
9 Mar
In a letter to the Dutch parliament, the country's trade minister has said exporters of chip technology will have to ask for licences to do business abroad, citing concerns over international security. The Netherlands is home to one of the leaders in chipmaking equipment, ASML.
20 Apr
Due to its intensive agriculture, the Netherlands has the highest nitrogen emissions in Europe. As a result, Dutch forests and rivers are among the most polluted in the world. EU environmental standards dictate that the Dutch government must reduce the presence of this chemical element in the soil.
13 Jun
The two countries are asking the International Court of Justice both to examine torture and other crimes against humanity committed during Syria's civil war, and to order Damascus to halt any such mistreatment.
27 Jun
In 1953, a gigantic storm swept across the North Sea and caused a tidal wave in the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. Many dykes controlling water levels were simply swept away as the water spread far inland. While more than 300 people died in the UK, more than 1,800 lost their lives in the Netherlands. At the time, around a fifth of the Netherlands was below sea level. More than 2,000 square kilometres of land were flooded there, including almost the entire province of Zeeland.
5 Jul
A violent summer storm swept across the Netherlands, severely affecting air and train traffic. At least one person died in the town of Haarlem.
9 Jul
The Dutch government has decided to return some 478 highly valuable and culturally significant artworks, which had been looted during the Dutch colonial era.
5 Aug
The fire on a freighter loaded with thousands of cars appears to have burnt itself out. Although the vessel seems stable, there are still concerns over potential risks.
Latest
4 hours ago
Finland is sealing up more border crossing points with Russia as the number of crossings by aslyum seekers climbs. But where do the people trying to reach Europe come from? And who helps them get in? DW investigates.
4 hours ago
Protest rallies were held in many cities across the world to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
5 hours ago
Russia is increasingly trying to lure Central Asian migrants to work in the parts of Ukraine it occupies, or even to sign up to fight for its army. While some 1.3 million still migrated to Russia from Central Asia in the first quarter of 2023, some are choosing to leave, rather than be coerced to go to Ukraine.
5 hours ago
With family incomes squeezed by a weak Chinese economy, international travelers are cutting back on designer goods and luxury hotels.
5 hours ago
Severe weather has claimed at least ten lives, cut power to tens of thousands of people, and blocked roads in a country already strained by war.
7 hours ago
This week on French Connections we take a look at the complex web of "autoroutes", or highways, in France. Over 70 percent of French people stayed in France for their vacations in 2023, and that means most of them hit the road. From its inception in 1927 to controversial toll increases to bumper-to-bumper traffic, we tell you how these highways illustrate so much about French society.
×

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.