Two dead in Groningen home amid possible explosives scare: Police investigate

Two people were found dead in a recently sold home in the Groningen town of Meerstad overnight, police confirmed on Thursday morning, as investigators scrambled to determine the cause of death amid unconfirmed reports of possible explosives at the scene.

The bodies were discovered in a house on Meerhoven in Meerstad, a district of Groningen, during the night of Wednesday 17 June to Thursday 18 June 2026, according to multiple Dutch media outlets . Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the deceased or the circumstances surrounding their deaths, stating only that the cause remains under investigation. A spokesperson for the Groningen police told local media that “much remains unclear,” including how the two individuals died.

The property had been sold recently, though police have not indicated whether the sale was related to the incident. Neighbours described the area as quiet, with no immediate signs of disturbance reported. The case has been taken over by detectives from the Groningen regional police unit, who are conducting a forensic examination of the premises.

In a separate but similarly tense development on Thursday morning, police in Nuenen, North Brabant, discovered two possible explosives in a partially constructed building slated to become an asylum reception centre (AZC) this summer. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit of the Dutch Defence Ministry (EOD) was deployed to secure the site and assess the devices, which were found during a routine inspection .

The building, still under construction, was scheduled to open as an AZC in the coming weeks. Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the origin and intent behind the devices. No injuries have been reported, and the EOD team is working to safely neutralise the items.

While the two incidents—one in Groningen and one in Nuenen—are not believed to be connected, they underscore heightened security concerns in the Netherlands as the country prepares to open several new reception facilities for asylum seekers. The timing of the discoveries, coming just days before the summer opening of multiple AZCs, has raised questions among local officials and community leaders about preparedness and risk assessment.

Dutch police have urged the public to avoid speculation until further details emerge from both investigations. Authorities in Groningen and North Brabant are coordinating with national security services, though no official link between the cases has been established. Further updates are expected later today as forensic teams complete their initial assessments.