Police said they fired warning shots in Rotterdam, injuring some people, as protesters gather to contest new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Rotterdam’s police said there were “injuries related to the fired shots” but did not specify how many people were injured and whether anyone was seriously hurt.
The demonstration started around 8:00pm and “resulted in riots,” police said in a statement.
“Fires have been set in several places. Fireworks were set off and police fired several warning shots. The riot police is presently present to restore order,” they added.
COVID-19 cases have soared recently in the Netherlands, with more than 20,000 daily cases reported — an all-time high since the beginning of the pandemic.
The government implemented a partial lockdown on November 13 that is due to run for at least three weeks as they weigh stricter restrictions on the unvaccinated.
