Video/ Gun battle in the Netherlands leaves one dead and 34 suspects arrested; possible link to a drug kingpin

A gun battle in Overasselt, a small village in the east of the Netherlands, left one person dead and two police officers injured.

The incident took place in the early hours of the morning, near the border with Germany, while authorities detained 34 people suspected of involvement.

According to police, those arrested include nationals of the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Algeria. Investigations to clarify the circumstances and motives behind the incident are ongoing.

Security camera footage shows dozens of people with their faces covered, some carrying heavy weapons, moving through a residential area before fleeing after the armed clash.

The person who was killed worked as a security guard at the residence where the incident took place. A similar clash had also been reported at the same residence around a year ago.

The condition of the two injured police officers is not critical, Dutch police said.

Overasselt Mayor Joerie Minches condemned the incident, stating that the village was “the victim of an extreme form of violence that is completely unacceptable”.

Jannie Knoll, head of the Dutch police, described the incident as “unprecedented”.

Local media report that the clash may be linked to drug trafficker Jos Leidekkers, who is considered one of the most wanted people in the Netherlands and has been convicted of international cocaine trafficking.

Leidekkers is currently in Sierra Leone and has long been targeted by Dutch authorities.