The afternoon of relaxation turned into a nightmare. Several people were arrested on Saturday during a riot provoked by an order to evacuate a beach in the seaside resort of Blankenberge, north of Bruges, on the Belgian coast.
" That can not continue. We are doing everything to maintain security in our seaside resort, and now that… ”protested the town's councilor, Daphné Dumery.
The incidents were triggered by a group of young people asked to respect the security measures imposed against the spread of Covid-19, according to testimonies collected by radio and television RTBF.
According to the daily Het Laatste Nieuws, a group of people rebelled against the police after being ordered to leave the beach.
Alweer intrieste taferelen aan eleven Vlaamse kust. #Blankenberge pic.twitter.com/7L3w2AbU8t
- Jef Dweislap (@JefDweislap) August 8, 2020A violent fight broke out involving several dozen people and the local police were forced to call for reinforcements to bring the situation under control.
In images filmed by witnesses and broadcast on social networks, we can see umbrellas thrown by young people against the police on the beach.
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Several people were arrested following the incident. An investigation has been opened to identify the troublemakers.
On Sunday, only residents of the city, as well as those staying there for long stays, will be allowed to go to the beach. Checkpoints will be installed in order to "restore peace", according to RTBF. Trains to the city were also canceled between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.