Water cannons used during latest riots following Belfast stabbing
Kyiv • UNN
Riots have continued for a second night in Belfast following a stabbing incident, with police deploying water cannons. Protesters set equipment on fire and attacked a hotel.
Water cannons were used to disperse a large crowd after a second night of rioting in Northern Ireland, following a stabbing in Belfast, UNN reports, citing the BBC.
Details
A group of police officers in riot gear came under sustained attack from people throwing bricks, bottles, and pieces of wood at a large roundabout northwest of Belfast.
Additional police officers were deployed, but Wednesday's unrest was not as large-scale as Tuesday's.
Public transport was suspended across Northern Ireland, and some schools closed early on Wednesday to prevent potential disruptions. Belfast city center emptied after many businesses closed for lunch.
A water cannon was deployed at the Sandyknowes roundabout in Glengormley, about 13 km northwest of Belfast city center, the publication writes.
Video footage showed dozens of people in black clothing and masks destroying driveways and fences of nearby houses to use them as projectiles, the publication notes.
A large Department for Infrastructure vehicle was seen on fire, along with burning trash bins.
The crowd reportedly attempted to set fire to a derelict building in the same area, with some throwing petrol bombs at police cordons.
They were apparently trying to approach a hotel housing asylum seekers, the publication indicates.
Protests took place in other areas of Northern Ireland as well, but were mostly peaceful.
In East Belfast, where major rioting occurred on Tuesday, about 150 people gathered amid a heavy police presence. Police stated there was little unrest and few arrests were made.