Huge Brawl Breaks Out On Beach In Belgium As Police Reinforcements Called In

Footage of a massive brawl on Blankenberge Beach in Belgium shows people fighting with police and lifeguards - with some even launching beach umbrellas and plastic chairs at each other as tensions heighten.

The incident took place at the seaside resort in West Flanders on Saturday afternoon (8 August), with beachgoers seen clashing with police and lifeguards.

According to The Brussels Times, the melee began when a lifeguard pointed out to a group of around 40 young people that sitting on the breakwater was prohibited.

They reportedly refused to leave when asked, meaning police were called to deal with the situation.

It was then that a large brawl broke out, resulting in 'total chaos' on the beach, with witnesses saying people were even using beach equipment as 'weapons'.

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A bar manager told De Standaard: "There was suddenly massive fighting and total chaos broke out.

"Sun umbrellas and sunbeds flew, windsurfing poles were used as weapons."

Eventually, police reinforcements from Bruges and De Haan were called in, resulting in 'a number of' arrests.

According to The Brussels Times, new measures to safeguard the public security are now expected, as the hot weather continues to attract many people to the area - including restrictions on travelling to the resort.

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Condemning the incident, Blackenberge Mayor Daphné Dumery has since ordered all trains to Blackenberge today (Sunday 9 August) to be cancelled, in turn banning visitors to the popular seaside resort.

Dumery said: "I think this is terrible.

"For people who come with good intention and want to enjoy a day in Blankenberge, this is very bad. I think of children and their parents."

PA

The shocking clip has been circulating on social media, where many others have also criticised those involved, with one tweeting: "Throwing beach umbrellas? That goes too far! (I even heard that sand got into people's eyes.)"

A second said: "Glad I didn't go to the beach today!"

Others expressed their disappointment at seeing such violent scenes at a usually pleasant place.

Someone wrote: "This is a great seaside town. This is such a pity."

Another agreed: "I cannot believe this - I spent every summer of my childhood there and it was spotless, friendly and to me a little bit of Heaven."

Topics: Belgium, World News, News

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman