In various places in Flanders, the night from New Year’s Eve was not so peaceful. In Brussels, the police arrested 206 people. In total, the police had to respond 663 times in the capital. In Antwerp, 60 people were arrested after a cat-and-mouse game between groups of young people and the police.
There were a lot of people in Brussels last night. In total, no fewer than 100,000 people descended on the city center. However, the festivities were overshadowed by riots and arson. The fire brigade had to respond 663 times throughout the territory. This involved 251 fire brigade interventions and 412 ambulance interventions. “Our staff got through this turbulent night without any physical injuries,” says fire brigade spokesman Walter Derieuw. “Three firefighters suffered from tinnitus due to the explosion of heavy firecrackers.” Young people started a cat-and-mouse game with the police before midnight. Between 6 p.m. and midnight Monday morning, the police had to respond 226 times. A total of 206 people were arrested.
LOOK. Rioters set vehicles on fire again in Brussels:
The police announced that the fireworks ban was not being enforced. Massive fireworks were shot off in various places in the capital. Six people were injured by the fireworks. This concerns a teenager who suffered an eye injury and a 7-year-old child who suffered a hand injury. A municipal guard was also injured. A man has been disabled for life after his hand was torn off while setting off fireworks.
In Antwerp, groups of young people started challenging the police around midnight. “It was the start of a cat-and-mouse game involving young people who set off fireworks and threw them at passing (police) vehicles,” says spokesperson Willem Migom. “The neighborhoods were actively patrolled to create a dissuasive effect.” But the situation threatened to get out of hand and the police had to intervene. A look at the Sint-Bernardsesteenweg, among others, said enough: bus shelters destroyed, traffic signs knocked over, rubbish bins tipped over, stones lying around. It wasn’t just about throwing fireworks either.
“Several damage was caused and the police made several arrests. A police vehicle was heavily vandalized on Sint-Bernardsesteenweg, after which another drive back took place.” Other emergency services were spared, although a fire truck was also said to have been pelted with eggs and miscreants set off fireworks at a passing MUG from St Vincent’s Basilica. A total of more than 60 arrests were made.
Fights
Compared to Antwerp and Brussels, the New Year’s Eve in Ghent was relatively quiet. “Our teams always saw the same phenomenon: large groups of people lighting fireworks together. However, it is not the case that the nuisance was permanent. As soon as our teams arrived, peace returned, but the use of bombs and fireworks flared up again when they left. We also noted one vehicle fire,” said Bart De Cocker of the Ghent police. A total of four bus shelters were also destroyed. A total of 24 people were administratively arrested for disrupting public order.
New Year’s Eve in Limburg led to a series of incidents, with several injuries following fights. According to the emergency services, the dashboard of an ambulance was destroyed in Genk. This happened when the emergency services were called for an intervention at the Limburghal where a major event was taking place. Bystanders entered the cockpit of the ambulance and destroyed the dashboard.
The Ostend police also had a busy New Year’s Eve. With 88 interventions, the number of interventions was in line with other years. “The majority took place after midnight. It mainly concerned disturbances or difficulties with party goers. Major incidents did not occur. During the night, seven people were administratively detained for disrupting public order. One of them did not have valid residence documents and was made available to the Immigration Department,” said spokesperson Timmy Van Assche.
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