The police and emergency services had to intervene on numerous occasions during this New Year's Eve, particularly in Anderlecht.
In the capital, the use of fireworks by individuals was prohibited during the night of the transition to the new year. However, many firecrackers were set off. Two people were also injured while handling fireworks.
In Anderlecht, where the police had banned the presence of unaccompanied minors under the age of 16 on public roads on New Year's Eve, the firefighters had to intervene. Several cars were set on fire on Place Alphonse Lemmens.
The sirens of the Brussels firefighters rang out numerous times in the capital during New Year's Eve. Firefighters carried out a total of 588 interventions, compared to around 450 missions during an ordinary evening on duty.
Firefighters targeted
Firefighters were the target of Molotov cocktail throwing during an intervention at Place Saint-Denis in Forest, they lamented in a press release Wednesday morning.
The firefighters intervened in particular for 11 fires, 30 vehicles on fire and were mobilized 56 times for street furniture or trash cans on fire. They also came to the aid of two people injured following fireworks. Three electric bikes and scooters were also set on fire. A total of 430 ambulance interventions were also carried out, according to the firefighters' report communicated at 8:30 a.m.
Firefighter spokesperson Walter Derieuw speaks of a “restless night” for the staff, from which all the men and women firefighters emerged unscathed, at least physically. “On a mental level, it’s another story, because who can understand the insane situation where rescuers cannot work in complete peace and safety?”he asks, thanking the police forces for their collaboration.
Our colleagues were the targets of Molotov cocktail throwing
The spokesperson indicates that so far four concrete acts of aggression have been reported. “In the middle of the intervention, our colleagues were the target of Molotov cocktail jets, they urgently uncoupled the fire hose to abandon it on site and move to safety with the pumper while awaiting the intervention of the security forces. order”he illustrated.
Emotional support is available for firefighters who feel the need, he said.
The police had to intervene around 300 times in the capital during the night. Before midnight, the police had already made 64 administrative and judicial arrests.
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