Still unclear about injured people after riots on Sunday evening in Heusden-Zolder

During the night from Sunday to Monday, no major incidents occurred in Heusden-Zolder and Houthalen-Helchteren after the riots on Sunday evening. The police know of six injuries, but there are probably more.

Yesterday at 08:11

A small convoy of Kurds headed to Heusden-Zolder on Sunday evening after celebrating Newroz, the Kurdish spring festival, in Kessel-Lo. The local Turkish community was provoked with hooting, Kurdish flags, PKK slogans and photos.

A Turkish man was also allegedly tackled by Kurds from the convoy. When that news circulated on social media, a large group of Turks gathered in Kolderstraat, where the Kurds had hidden in a house.

The windows of the house were smashed and several cars were destroyed. The provincial intervention plan was announced and the police gathered en masse in Heusden-Zolder to get the riots under control. The Turks were driven out of the Kolderstraat using water cannon and the Kurds were evacuated. The action was led by the CARMA police. Teams came from various other police zones to calm the mood there.

Wounded

“There were no further incidents during the night from Sunday to Monday,” said Alain Yzermans, mayor of Houthalen-Helchteren on Monday morning. “The situation is now also stable. The federal police intervention reserve (FERES) remained in Kolderstraat all night. After being expelled from there, a number of people headed towards the Lillosteenweg in Houthalen-Helchteren. But after 10 to 11 p.m. there have been no major incidents.”

The Carma police are aware of six injured people. “But there may be more, because some victims have gone to the hospital themselves,” says police spokesperson Vicky Flossy. “One person was arrested on Sunday evening and was available again on Monday morning. The night passed quietly, but the police are still on standby.” One young man suffered serious stab wounds and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Civaka Azad, Kurdish center for public relations, condemned the riots as a “racist attack” in a press release.