At least 159 arrests were made in Brussels during its New Year’s Eve celebration, police said. Authorities also took action in over 1,7000 incidents.
“Brussels firefighters also had to intervene for 30 burning cars in various parts of the city. In some places, several cars [were] burned at the same time. The fire was also put to three electric bikes or scooters. But firefighters also had to intervene for 54 more fire starts in garbage cans, containers, trees or brush,” Le Soir reported, citing information provided by Brussels firefighters spokesman Walter Derieuw.
Brussels Fire Department Spokesperson Walter Derieuw told Politico that the situation was “really crazy.”
“We were there to help, and we were getting Molotov cocktails thrown at us.”
According to the outlet, authorities implemented measures to reduce New Year’s Eve crime, including placing a curfew on those younger than 16 in Anderlecht.
In Antwerp, Belgium, 49 people were arrested. Others were hospitalized from fireworks injuries.
“We kept our finger on the pulse and quickly intervened where necessary,” Antwerp Police spokeswoman Kim Bastiaens said. “A total of 49 people were arrested in Antwerp, including 28 minors. Of those 49 arrests, ten people were arrested in court for committing a crime, four minors were brought before them for destruction and rebellion. 39 people were arrested administratively, mainly for disturbing public order.”
Buses for Brussels transport company, STIB, were also damaged. spokesperson Guy Sablon said “five buses were pelted with projectiles,” De Standaard reported. “In ten minutes, the windows of seven trams were shattered. We think it is the same perpetrators,” Sablon said.
