Community spirit unites tragic town

The flag of the Edam and Volendam community flies at half mast

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The close knit community spirit of a small Dutch fishing town is helping residents begin to come to terms with a New Year tragedy which claimed 10 lives - a figure widely expected to rise further.

But the tragedy has touched virtually everyone in Volendam and locals say it will take years to recover fully.

The 10 died when a café crowded with celebrating young people became engulfed in flames and smoke shortly after midnight on New Year's Day.

More than 180 people were injured. The youngest victim so far was 13-years-old, with the others all aged under 25.

Cor Kwakman, who works for the town council, knows first-hand the grief of the families, as his niece's son died in the fire.

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He is reluctant to talk about the death, but said relatives of the victims were coping "very badly."

Several of the injured are his neighbours. "It must be expected that some will die," he told CNN.com Europe.

The impact of the fire will remain long after the debris has been cleared from the burned out café.

"For the people who have not suffered themselves, they will go on with their normal lives in a month or two," Kwakman said.

"But for the people who have lost their best friend, their son, their brother or sister, I don't think they can get on with their lives for at least a year or two -- even up to five years. Each one will cope differently."

He predicts the injured survivors will have the most difficult time.

"They will be physically damaged for life. When your face is burned it will improve, but life will never be the same."

The town has been united in sadness since the fire, Kwakman said.

"In the youth centres, at the schools, on street corners, everywhere they are coming together, especially the younger people. Every youngster in town has friends or relatives involved."

A counselling centre, staffed by experienced grief counsellors from outside the town, has been opened in Volendam.

As investigators probe the cause of the fire and the government sets up a public inquiry, the town of 20,000 people is preparing to bury its dead.

Funerals will be held over the weekend and a memorial service is being planned for the whole town in the coming weeks.

But as most are aware -- those steps will only be the first on a long road.

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Volendam, Netherlands

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