Belfast: Rioters blasted with police water cannon
Violence flared up again on the streets of West Belfast, amid rising tensions in the area.
Last updated 9th Apr 2021
Police have used water cannons on rioters tonight during another night of violence in West Belfast.
It is the second night in a row that disorder flared up with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks being thrown at officers.
PSNI officers were seen holding riot shields and being pelted with missiles before charging at the groups with dogs.
55 police officers have been injured in the last week, in what is being described as the worst unrest in years.
A bus was hijacked and set alight on Wednesday, petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks were thrown at officers and a peace wall gate was lit up in flames.
Political parties and international leaders are calling for calm.
NI Justice Minister Naomi Long issued a fresh call for calm after what she called “depressing and reckless'' scenes.
She tweeted: “More attacks on police, this time from nationalist youths. Utterly reckless and depressing to see more violence at interface areas tonight.
“My heart goes out to those living in the area who are living with this fear and disturbance. This needs to stop now before lives are lost.''
Earlier, the UK Prime Minister and Irish premier made a joint call for calm after days of unrest across the country.
Authorities in Northern Ireland sought to restore calm on Thursday evening after Protestant and Catholic youths in Belfast hurled bricks, fireworks and gasoline bombs at police and each other. It was the worst mayhem in a week of street violence in the region, where Britain's exit from the European Union has unsettled an uneasy political balance.
Nationalist youths gather as they confront police officers
Police use a water cannon at Nationalist youths as they block a road near the Peace Wall in west Belfast.
Police block a road near the Peace Wall in West Belfast
Nationalist youths gesture towards a police line blocking a road near the Peace Wall
Police block a road near the Peace Wall in West Belfast