Two officers injured and vehicles damaged in Molenbeek riots

Riots broke out on Sunday afternoon at the Beekkant metro station in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, leading to five arrests, reported commissioner Johan Berckmans of the Brussels West police. Two officers were injured and several police vehicles were damaged, writes Het Nieuwsblad.

"The problems started around 14.00 when our anti-banditry brigade (BAB) conducted a routine check at the metro station," said Berckmans. "A number of young people from the neighbourhood got wound up about it and turned against the police. They also overturned garbage containers, dumping them in the street."

The police withdrew, but returned to the vicinity of the Beekkant metro station around 15.30 to find that the rioting continued. Stones and other projectiles were thrown at the police, and two officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital. Several police vehicles were damaged.

The Brussels-West police arrested five people in total.