As farmers returned to Brussels to protest the European agricultural policy for the third time in two months, the atmosphere briefly turned hostile and saw fires being set across the capital's EU district, including in a metro station.
As hay bales were set ablaze and manure was sprayed across streets in the Schuman area during the demonstration on Tuesday, the stairs at the Maelbeek underpass were quickly blocked by hay and rubbish thrown down and then set alight by farmers.
"Fire on the stairs at Maelbeek for access to Rue de la Loi. Fire at the Maelbeek underpass," Dimitri Strobbe, Executive Director of road maintenance in Brussels, said on social media. The fire has since been extinguished, but the firefighters who were trying to put out the fire "were targeted by projectiles," Strobbe added, asking protestors to respect the city's infrastructure, firefighters and police.
While several entrances to Maelbeek metro station were initially open in the morning, the police closed off the entire station around noon.
Credit: Belga / Timon Ramboer
In response to the news, Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden stressed that the protesting farmers owed it to the law enforcement services to conduct their demonstrations respectfully.
"Our police and fire brigade were injured today, and they are also being hindered in the performance of their duties," she said on social media. "The violence, arson and destruction during this farmers' protest are unacceptable."
Verlinden asked the authorities to make "every effort" to identify the perpetrators as quickly as possible. "This also allows the Justice Department to send a clear signal to the perpetrators. Our emergency and law enforcement services deserve our respect, always and everywhere."
In the meantime, the 250 tractors that were present in the European district of Brussels have started their exodus from the capital, which is expected to cause considerable disruption on the major traffic routes during the evening rush hour.
