Riots erupt in Dutch city of Apeldoorn over planned migrant shelter

Riots broke out on the evening of May 5 in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn during a protest against plans to open a temporary shelter for asylum seekers.

The unrest followed a decision to house around 240 asylum seekers in a vacant school building in the De Maten neighbourhood. Calls to gather at a roundabout on Laan van Maten had been circulating on social media ahead of the protest, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

A group of demonstrators marched toward the proposed shelter site, setting off fireworks before returning to the roundabout. Police initially withdrew from the area but later returned with reinforcements and dispersed the crowd.

Around a dozen police vans were deployed during the operation. Authorities said the demonstrators were eventually dispersed and no injuries were reported.

A similar protest involving about 200 people had taken place at the same location a week earlier, during which fireworks and eggs were also thrown.

Tensions over asylum accommodation have also been reported elsewhere in the Netherlands, including in Loodrecht, where a group of asylum seekers is scheduled to be housed in a local town hall. Authorities say protests against the decision have become frequent.

By Sabina Mammadli