2023-12-29 19:48:00
Emergency services, at the very least, fear a turbulent New Year in Brussels. For several years, they have become a favored target of thugs and other rioters. Via fireworks, incendiary bombs, bottles and other objects that can be used as projectiles. The police, too, will be under high tension with, in particular, in their specifications, the escort of firefighters and paramedics if it turns out that there is a potential risk. “All our vehicles are equipped with a kind of plastic film on the windows to prevent them from shattering,” adds Walter Derieuw, spokesperson for the Brussels firefighters, to Nieuwsblad. For Eric Labourdette, the permanent SLFP firefighter, Brussels turns into a “war zone” during New Year’s Eve, he bluntly told the Flemish daily. “In addition, New Year’s Eve is likely to be even hotter this year because of the situation in Palestine.”
Are the authorities leaving the door open to riots on New Year’s Eve? “Every year, we have to barricade ourselves instead of intervening”
As in the last two years, the use of fireworks will be prohibited in public spaces throughout the Brussels Region. People who wish to watch the fireworks can go to three locations from 11 p.m.: Place des Palais, Place du Trône and Brussels Park. To facilitate access to these areas, controls will be carried out at the entrances. Backpacks and bulky items will be prohibited.
The Brussels crisis center activated to supervise the New Year festivities
More specifically, this year, there would be an alert for “Cobra” firecrackers, made in Italy. According to Sudinfo, the Federal Judicial Police (PJF) reports significant sales and therefore acquisitions of Cobra 6 and 8 models in Brussels. A “Cobra” refers to a firecracker that has the effect of a small grenade. They are as big as a can of insecticide or a stick of dynamite. These illegal firecrackers, the most powerful on the market accessible on the internet or social networks, explode six seconds after lighting the fuse. They can cause death if used as weapons. There is a 100% expected death rate if a Cobra 8 detonates within 40 centimeters of you. “A Cobra 8 jumping next to you is incapacitating, you will at least be shocked for a few seconds and it can also cause permanent damage to your hearing; but, if it jumps into your hand, you will clearly have serious after-effects,” describes to Sudinfo, Romuald Van Riet, lecturer in the chemistry department of the Royal Military Academy.
There is a 100% expected death rate if a Cobra 8 detonates within 40 centimeters of you. ©ANP
The Cobra firecracker is increasingly being misused for criminal purposes. For example, the door of a house was attacked in December 2021. An offensive which appeared to be linked to drug trafficking. The hall window was shattered and the garage door was pierced. “This type of attacks seems to be a new trend. We don’t really know how to explain why except that it is much easier to obtain it,” noted the spokesperson for the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office.
Two years ago, two teenagers were seriously injured in the Dutch province of Gelderland in two different accidents involving fireworks. They both lost a hand to “Cobra” firecrackers.
These illegal Cobra firecrackers, the most powerful on the market accessible on the internet or social networks, explode six seconds after lighting the fuse. ©ANP
Generally speaking, fireworks no longer have a good press. Many European cities are in favor of a ban. Last year, at least 155 people were injured in Belgium by fireworks between Christmas and New Year, according to the Fondation des Brûlés. The hands and face are the most commonly affected parts of the body.
Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS), federal minister of the economy, intends to address the issue of strengthening European rules governing fireworks at the start of 2024, when Belgium takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Seven out of ten Walloon municipalities ban fireworks at New Year
1703886330
#Year #tension #emergency #services #warning #Cobra #firecracker #criminals #Brussels #turn #war #zone