Police break up anti-lockdown party in Brussels

Police forcibly broke up a party at a park in Brussels on Saturday, after hundreds of people defied a ban to protest COVID-19 restrictions.

The mass gathering comes a month after a similar gathering — initially intended as an April Fool's joke — saw several people injured in clashes with police in the Belgian capital.

What happened?

The party protest, dubbed "La Boum 2," took place at a large park in the city.

"It's been a year," a 21-year-old woman from Brussels told the AFP news agency. "A whole year we can't go out. After a while you need an alternative."

Although exact attendance numbers aren't known, reporters on the scene said hundreds of largely young people showed up.

Police officers deployed water cannons and fired tear gas at the crowds to get them to disperse.

A video posted by broadcaster France TV Bruxelles showed a water cannon truck driven by authorities to break up the groups of people.

A helicopter was also seen circling over the area.

Some of those in the crowd tossed bottles at officers and set off fireworks before authorities moved in.

Brussels police said they made the decision to clear the park as "health measures are not being respected."

On Twitter, police posted pictures of items that had been confiscated from protesters — including a knife and several fireworks.

Lockdown curbs set to ease

Belgium is currently in the midst of a second national lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Restaurants and bars have been closed since the end of October, although outdoor dining is set to reopen on May 8.

The country's vaccination drive is also picking up speed, with the government urging the public for calm and patience.

rs/sms (AFP, dpa)