VIOLENCE has erupted in Brussels with anti-lockdown protesters setting the streets ablaze and clashing with police on Sunday.
The protests at the Belgian capital follow Saturday's demonstrations in Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, and Northern Ireland as Europe is facing a Covid crisis.
Police estimate that nearly 35,000 people gathered in front of the Gare du Nord train station to protest against the return of strict coronavirus measures the government announced last week, in a bid to curb the rise in Covid cases.
Under the new rules, unvaccinated are banned from entering bars and restaurants, working from home four days a week is also mandatory while masks are compulsory for anyone above the age of 10 for indoor and some outdoor activities.
Protesters chanting "Freedom" were seen throwing bottles and fireworks at cops while officers used water cannons and tear gas in response.
Demonstrators were pictured clashing with police as they set the capital's streets on fire while some were spotted throwing bricks on the windows of local businesses including a post office.
Three police officers were injured and 44 protesters were arrested, Brussels-Ixelles police spokesperson Ilse Van de keere said.
“People have been looking for a confrontation with the police,” she added.
The city's mayor Philippe Close tweeted that he “strongly condemns the troublemakers” and said he "gave the instruction to make arrests and analyze the videos.”
The World Health Organization said Europe was the only region in the world where Covid-related deaths increased leading Belgium's Prime Minister to say the continent was on "red alert".
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20 ноя 2021
