Categories: Global

Rotterdam Police Clash with Rioters as Covid Protest Turns Violent

Dutch police have shot and wounded at least two people after rioting erupted in Rotterdam over new Covid-19 measures.

Protesters threw rocks and fireworks at them and set police cars ablaze.

Hundreds of protesters had gathered to show their anger at government plans for a Covid vaccine pass, and a ban on fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

The Netherlands imposed a three-week partial Covid lockdown last week as cases surged.

Seven people were injured in total and at least 20 arrested in a night condemned by Rotterdam’s mayor as “an orgy of violence”.

Police fired warning shots and direct shots “because the situation was life-threatening”, a police spokesperson told Reuters news agency.

The city was placed under a state of emergency and its main train station closed as a result of the violence.

Videos posted on social media showed burnt-out police cars and rioters hurling rocks at police in the city’s main shopping street. Riot police used a water cannon to disperse them.

The Netherlands imposed fresh restrictions last Saturday after recording its highest numbers of Covid cases since the pandemic began.

The measures mean restaurants and shops have to close earlier, and sports events must take place behind closed doors.

Demonstrators clashed with police in The Hague after the measures were announced.

The protesters in Rotterdam voiced their disapproval at government proposals to introduce a “corona pass” for those vaccinated against coronavirus or who have recovered from the disease.

If introduced, only those showing the pass would be allowed into indoor venues, such as restaurants and bars.

Earlier on Friday, the government banned fireworks on 31 December for the second year in a row. The ban would prevent “extra strain on healthcare”, the government said.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Trump Nominates Billion Dollar Buyer Host Tilman Fertitta as US Ambassador to Italy

Donald Trump has selected businessman Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, to serve as…

24 seconds ago

Ten Family Members Die in Private Plane Crash in Brazil

A plane crash in Gramado, Brazil, killed ten family members, including businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi,…

11 minutes ago

Man Arrested in New York for Setting Woman on Fire in Brooklyn Subway

A suspect has been apprehended in Brooklyn subway after woman was set ablaze and died…

14 minutes ago

Bridge Collapse In Brazil Kills One, Spills Sulfuric Acid Into River

A Brazilian bridge collapse has killed one person and spilled sulfuric acid into the Tocantins…

20 minutes ago

Anambra Police Confirm 22 dead in Stampede as Governor Soludo Mandates Safety Protocols for Future Palliative Distributions

Governor Soludo has expressed grief over Okija stampede, urges safety-first approach for future food distribution…

25 minutes ago

Slovak PM Robert Fico Surprises Putin in Moscow, Discusses Gas Supplies and Ukraine Conflict

Slovak PM Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow for gas talks with Putin,…

27 minutes ago