THOUSANDS of rioters rampaged through the streets of Belgium as police fired water cannons to hold back the violent mob.
Crowds of people surged through the capital, smashing windows and burning bikes in protest of new government reforms.
Smashed up bikes used as fuel for a fire in the middle of the road Credit: X
Rioters clashed with police in violent scenes across the Belgian capital Credit: EPA
Shocking scenes showed masked fiends hurling fireworks and damaging property as they stormed through Brussels.
At least 1,000 people were marching against sweeping education reforms that would see university fees rise from £722 (€835) to £1,033 (€1,194).
But the protest on Thursday quickly turned hostile when large-scale violence erupted across the city.
Demonstrators clashed with police who rammed them with shields as thick smoke billowed from multiple fires in the road.
Hordes of hooded men rampaged through the streets of Brussels Credit: X
Choking clouds of smoke billowed through the streets Credit: X
Police used tear gas against demonstrators in an attempt to halt the onslaught.
They also advised the public to stay away from the scene of carnage where bicycles had been vandalised and debris from damaged property littered the streets.
The protests started as an objection to new measures proposing that secondary school teachers work an extra two hours a week for no additional pay, and a 35 per cent jump in university fees.
One teacher at the demonstration said: “We will have to work more for the same wages, and working conditions will deteriorate, with more people having larger classes”.
Protesters daubed walls with anarchy signs and the phrase ‘The blood of teachers and youth’ Credit: AFP
Police unleashed water cannons to extinguish fires and deter rioters Credit: EPA
It comes as more than 400 people were arrested in following PSG’s win at the Champions League final.
Rioting broke out as early as the first half of the crunch match, as the game slowly slipped out of their grasp.
Rioters climbed on statues and multiple vehicles and storefronts were damaged in the chaos.
One fan even clobbered a cop over the head .
He was sentenced on Monday for hitting an officer and given four months of house arrest.
He protested that he was “just hungry” and had thrown the sausage away to free up his hands.
Unfortunately for the 21-year-old, the meat projectile hurtled through the air and landed on the head of a cop.
The stricken officer was slightly injured by the flying banger and was granted a day off work on sick leave.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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