Melike Pala
09 October 2026•Update: 09 October 2026
Clashes broke out near Brussels Central Station during Friday's demonstration organized by Belgium's socialist trade union ABVV against the federal government's austerity policies, with police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse rioters, according to local media reports.
Hundreds of young people, many dressed in black and wearing masks, threw stones, glass bottles, wooden beams and trash cans at police, public broadcaster VRT and news agency Belga reported.
Police deployed tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators and made several arrests.
At least 21 people have been arrested, including 13 minors and five adults among those taken into judicial custody, Brussels police said in a statement.
Police said the trade demonstration itself proceeded peacefully and had completely ended, stressing that the subsequent incidents in several areas were unrelated to the protest's demands or conduct.
At Brussels-South station, clashes escalated when groups of youths attempted to move toward the city center but were stopped by police using a water cannon.
Youths threw stones and fireworks at police, while a large fire was lit at an intersection.
Similar incidents were reported near Brussels Central station, where police were targeted with fireworks, wooden beams and stones.
Officers responded with tear gas and multiple water cannons, while small fires were set and roads blocked with piles of scooters and bicycles.
A public transport bus at Brussels-South was extensively vandalized, and a bus stop near the station was also heavily damaged.
Authorities also seized potentially dangerous items, including Molotov cocktails, gasoline, pyrotechnic devices, a knife, a hammer, lighters and gloves.
At Brussels-South, most station entrances remained closed, forcing passengers to take detours.
The unrest occurred as ABVV held a national demonstration in Brussels, beginning at 10 am local time (0800GMT), with protesters marching from Brussels Central Station toward Brussels South Station under the slogan "Stay out of our pockets."
Police said 30,000 people participated in the demonstration, while ABVV had earlier estimated attendance at 50,000.
The union is protesting the federal government's austerity measures as officials consider a new budget.
It opposes potential measures affecting purchasing power, the wage indexation system and value-added tax (VAT), as well as plans to introduce annualized working time.
ABVV Chairman Bert Engelaar warned before the march that a nationwide strike could take place in November if the government crosses the union's "red lines."
Meanwhile, the Christian trade union ACV organized a separate protest on Friday involving hundreds of activists at the Brussels headquarters of Belgium's governing coalition parties.
Public transport and airport services were severely disrupted amid the demonstrations.
