Dozens of cars were set ablaze and rescuers were attacked: chaos engulfed Brussels on New Year's Eve.
In the capital of Belgium, Brussels, on New Year's Eve, 159 individuals were arrested due to public disorder. They set fire to dozens of vehicles and attacked emergency services.
This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Politico.
According to the publication, from 6:00 PM on Tuesday to 7:00 AM on Wednesday, police arrested 159 people and responded to over 1,700 incidents throughout the city. It is noted that most of the disturbances were recorded in the western and southern areas of Brussels, particularly in the municipalities of Molenbeek and Anderlecht.
The Brussels fire service reported that at least 60 vehicles were burned. Firefighters attempting to extinguish the flames were pelted with stones and bottles filled with "Molotov cocktails."
More New Year's chaos!
- Amy Mek (@AmyMek) January 1, 2025
New Year's Eve in Brussels turned into a scene of chaos as immigrant gangs set fire to cars, scooters, and shared bicycles. Meanwhile, in Antwerp and Ghent, similar criminals armed themselves with heavy fireworks, using them as weapons against... pic.twitter.com/gzgKn5HOal
Additionally, in Belgium's second-largest city, Antwerp, riots and fires also occurred, resulting in 49 arrests.
"It was absolute madness. We were there to help, and they were throwing bottles filled with incendiary substances at us," said Walter Deru, a representative of the Brussels fire service.
It is worth noting that disturbances in Belgium have become a common occurrence before New Year celebrations. In 2023, over 200 individuals were detained in Brussels, while in 2022, the number was 160.
Attack in New Orleans on New Year's Eve
Today, January 1, a pickup truck crashed into a crowd of people celebrating New Year’s in New Orleans. Preliminary reports indicate that 10 people died, and another 30 were injured.
It is also important to note that a similar attack recently occurred in Germany, where a vehicle drove into people at a Christmas market.