Riot breaks out in Brussels as student protesters rampage through streets and smash up homes amid violent clashes with police
Thousands of protesters clashed with police and attacked the streets of Brussels on Wednesday as demonstrations over education cuts in the heart of the Belgian capital turned into violent mayhem.
Footage from the scene showed masked demonstrators throwing fireworks, setting roads ablaze and destroying property as riot police fired water cannons in an attempt to regain control of the city centre.
At least 1,000 people gathered in Brussels to protest planned austerity measures affecting French-language education, but the atmosphere quickly turned hostile, with groups of protesters confronting civil servants and causing widespread damage.
Videos shared online showed thick smoke rising in the streets as fires burned in the middle of the roads, and large crowds flocked to the city center amid chaotic scenes.
Unrest broke out near Brussels Central Station, prompting police to urge people to stay away from the area.
Authorities said demonstrators set fire to bike racks and other street furniture before setting off fireworks during clashes with officers.
As the violence increased, police and fire brigades were dispatched to the scene and pressurized water was used to disperse the crowd.
Public transport services were also disrupted, with routes via Koningsstraat suspended and trains no longer stopping at Park metro station.
Thousands of protesters clashed with police and attacked the streets of Brussels on Wednesday as demonstrations over education cuts in the heart of the Belgian capital turned into violent mayhem.
Videos shared online showed thick smoke rising through the streets as fires burned in the middle of the roads, and large crowds flocked to the city center amid chaotic scenes.
Shocking footage showed masked demonstrators throwing fireworks, setting the road on fire and destroying property as riot police used water cannon in an attempt to regain control of the city centre.
As the violence increased, police and fire brigades were dispatched to the scene and pressurized water was used to disperse the crowd.
Picture: Glass broken on the pavement under a shattered bus stop
A police officer fires a water cannon as students and police clash during a demonstration against the Brussels-Wallonia government’s education reforms in Brussels
Police officers stand guard as demonstrators protest planned education sector reforms in Brussels
At one stage, protesters forced their way into the parliament building of the French Community of Belgium; It was reported that smoke bombs were detonated here before riot police intervened
Picture: Police clashed with protesters. A woman holds a sign that reads “No professors, no future”
At one stage, protesters forced their way into the parliament building of the French Community of Belgium; Here it was reported that smoke bombs were detonated before riot police intervened.
The demonstrations stem from growing anger over plans to cut spending on French education by €300 million in the coming years.
Under the proposals, secondary school teachers would be required to teach an extra two hours a week at no extra pay, and the permanent appointment system would also be overhauled.
University and college registration fees will also increase significantly, while investments in the renovation of old school buildings will also decrease.
Critics accuse Belgium’s French Community government of passing the law through parliament using a fast-track procedure, while opponents claim the process is undemocratic.
By late afternoon the crowd began to disperse; Left behind are damaged properties, burnt debris and a heavy police presence in various parts of the Belgian capital.
