From the Archives, 1977: Freedom after four days of terror

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From the Archives, 1977: Freedom after four days of terror

45 years ago, South Moluccan terrorists unexpectedly released a group of child hostages after a four-day ordeal in the Netherlands.

First published in the Sydney Morning Herald on May 28, 1977.

AMSTERDAM, Friday —The child hostages of Boven Smilde, shaken and sickly, were borne on stretchers to freedom today from the confines of their schoolroom prison after a four-day ordeal under the threatening guns of South Moluccan terrorists.

The dramatic, unexpected release of the remaining 91 youngsters appeared to have been precipitated by a mysterious outbreak of a virus disease causing widespread diarrhoea through the children, teachers and terrorists.

Young hostages on their way to a medical examination following their release.

Young hostages on their way to a medical examination following their release.Credit: AP

Eight had already been freed by the time Dutch officials received a curt telephone call at 3:45am: “The children can go free. You look after the transport.” A sick teacher was also allowed to go.

Immediately a stream of ambulances begun flowing towards the school and the slow task of evacuating the children one at a time started. Dawn broke before all the children were safe. The Prime Minister, Mr Joop Den Uyl, said when told: “I am pleased as punch.”

The Justice Minister, Mr Andreas Van Agt, said in The Hague that the illness was caused by a virus infection. He denied suggestions that the authorities had deliberately poisoned the children with food and drink sent to them during the four-day siege. “Nature has given us a helping hand.” he said.

There was a surge of tension during the release when suddenly one of the terrorists shouted fresh demands through a loudhailer at 5.31am.

The ambulancemen froze. A calm official stepped forward and persuaded the man that the evacuation of the children must go ahead as planned.

The ambulancemen gingerly resumed their task. About 50 sick children were rushed in orange-and-white ambulances to an emergency Red Cross centre for preliminary checks, and then hospital.

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The rest were taken away by bus and later allowed to go home.

Shaken and sickly ... One of the children recovers in hospital.

Shaken and sickly ... One of the children recovers in hospital.Credit: AP

In the end about 26 were kept in hospital. Mrs J. Van Den Bult, wife of the verger of the Dutch Reformed Church where the Red Cross emergency centre is located, said she understood that some of the five terrorists and the four teachers still being held in the school were also suffering from diarrhoea.

No change at train

But there has been no change at the joint terror action, the train 20 kms from Boven Smilde containing 10 South Moluccan terrorists and about 50 hostages.

Both groups seek to bring world pressure on Indonesia to grant independence to the South Molucca islands.

All was peaceful at the train. Two plainclothes policemen were allowed to deliver a canister of tea or coffee, tins of chocolate milk, and some sandwiches to the train this morning.

The Government, which said it had made no concessions to win the children’s freedom, is now ready to discuss the ransom demands made by the South Moluccans.

One of the first families to be reunited was the Dekkers, who live at No 2 Schoolstraat, only 700 metres from the school. Mr Antje Dekker, grinning broadly, carried his 11-year old daughter home in his arms.

A man and woman in their early 30s, parents, went to the Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen, smiling happily. They ran hand-in-hand through the gate to be reunited with their child.

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Dutch press reports, condemned as irresponsible by the Government, have said that many of the estimated 15 terrorists in the school and on the train come from the community of about 2,000 South Moluccan exiles who live in the area of Boven Smilde and Assen. There have been anonymous threats of reprisal against them. Moderate Moluccan leaders have condemned the raids and reprisal threats have come from other South Moluccans. There are fears of a revenge-inspired race “war.”

That same afternoon, Dutch marines attacked the school and the Moluccans surrendered immediately. The crisis at the train continued into early June when an attack led to the deaths of six hijackers and two hostages. In the aftermath of both events, surviving hijackers, having converted to Christianity, met with former hostages.

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