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Violent Covid protests rock European cities
Police opened fire on anti-lockdown demonstrators in Rotterdam in what city Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb described as ‘an orgy of violence.’
At least seven people were injured in running clashes, including three with bullet wounds according to local media.
Partial lockdown in the Netherlands is set to last three weeks.
Restaurants, bars and essential shops must by 8 pm and non-essential stores and other services by 6 pm. A second night of protests took place in The Hague at the weekend.
"The group started fires, committed destruction, assaulted motorists and threw rocks and heavy fireworks at police officers," Dutch police said.
Demonstrations were right across Europe at the weekend as governments tighten restrictions and
There were protests in Belgium with police firing tear gas and water cannon at crowds, while an estimated 40,000 people took to the streets of Vienna to protest.
A small minority of protesters were ‘extremely prone to violence,’ Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said.
A nationwide partial lockdown commences in Austria on Monday.
Thousands protested in Zagreb, Croatia over the mandatory use of Covid passports to enter public buildings.
Violent protests in Milan and Rome saw clashes with police for the same reason.
Other demonstrations occurred in Switzerland, Northern Ireland and even the French Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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