The Dutch Institute for Security and Crisis Management (COT) have published a damning report on the mistakes made by Rotterdam authorities during a free dance event in Hook of Holland in August.

At the event, Sunset Grooves, crowds got out of hand and clashed with police after Feyenoord football supporters disrupted the event. A 19-year-old man was shot dead by police, who fired their guns during the confrontation. Six other people were injured.

The reports speaks of "uncoordinated emergency services, routine preparation, insufficient risk assessment, threats not taken seriously enough, unclear command structures, and confusing briefings before the event."
It says the police were aware that Feyenoord football hooligans were planning to disrupt the dance party hours in advance, but the information was not passed on to the corps leaders. Only 45 police officers were deployed to the event.

The COT also says the reaction to the incidents and developments during the event were inadequate and that corps leaders, the mayor and the chief Public Prosecutor were informed far too late. The authors of the report say the corps leaders did not have enough control of the preparations.

Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has accepted the report's recommendations and had decided to make "alterations to the organisation".

Sunset Groove voor de rellen (flickr.com/mr-pi), screenshot bodycam politie en politieonderzoek na rellen (ANP)