More unrest in Amsterdam, this time in Nieuw-West; Tram catches on fire
A large group of people were causing unrest Monday evening on Plein ‘40-‘45, a square in the Nieuw-West district of Amsterdam. Riot police were sent to the scene after a tram caught fire, police said.
Several people were arrested at the scene. The trouble started around 7:15 p.m., and police were still asking people to avoid the area 2.5 hours later. The authorities were trying to maintain order. One witness claimed "very heavy fireworks" were set off, and warned of many "young people on scooters,” the broadcaster said.
Video from the scene showed that the fire was sparked by a burning item, possibly a firecracker that exploded inside the tram. Anti-Semitic slurs could be heard in the background. The fire on the tram was quickly extinguished.
It was a continuation of unrest in the capital since Thursday, when large groups of Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans were allegedly chased through Amsterdam after a match against Ajax. Although some Maccabi hooligans may have been involved in incidents a night earlier, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said it was “no excuse” for attacks perpetrated by “boys on scooters” which echoed other anti-Semitic violence in the past.
While 5 people were hospitalized and 30 others suffered minor injuries in incidents last week, there were no injuries reported in the immediate aftermath on Monday. It was not clear how many people were arrested in the latest violence, though nearly 70 were arrested in connection with last week’s assaults.
“A large group of people is causing a nuisance and throwing fireworks, among other things,” police said on social media. “This has caused a tram to catch fire. The [riot police units] are on site to restore order.”
Rocks were also being hurled at officers, the local broadcaster said. The shopping center at the square was shut down to the public, according to AT5.
One witness said that people inside the mall were forced to flee through an emergency exit.
