Eritrean rioters torch cop cars in the Netherlands

Rioters set fire to a police car in The Hague. Pic/AP

Rioting broke out between two rival groups of Eritreans in the Netherlands on Saturday night, police said. Officers used tear gas in an attempt to quell the unrest in The Hague as rioters torched police cars and a bus.

Images from the scene showed vehicles in flames and dozens of men in the street, some throwing rocks. "It got seriously out of hand," The Hague Municipality spokesman Robin Middel said. He said a group loyal to Eritrea's government was holding a meeting when the venue was attacked by Eritreans who oppose the African nation's government.

Police spokeswoman Kristianne van Blanken said she could not immediately say if anybody was injured or if any rioters were arrested. The fighting is the latest outbreak of violence at Eritrean events in Europe.

Tens of thousands of people have fled Eritrea for Europe, many alleging they were mistreated by the repressive government of President Isaias Afwerki. The conflicts underscore deep divisions among Eritreans who remain close to the government and those who fled to live in exile and oppose Isaias.

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