A "life-threatening situation" developed in front of a nightclub in Trier: around 40 people attacked the police and threw iron bars, bottles and even a shopping trolley. Five officers are injured. He had "never experienced such an outbreak of violence," said the police director.
In a violent attack during a police operation on Friday night, around 40 people attacked the police with iron bars and glass bottles, among other things. At least five officers were injured, a police spokesman said in the morning. Accordingly, shortly after midnight, a patrol car was called to the disco for physical harm. Because of the "heated atmosphere and the high number of visitors at the scene, some of them drunk," more patrol cars were called.
As the police attempted to investigate the assault, some bystanders began to attack the officers. They were able to fend off the attack "with massive effort" using pepper spray, according to the police. "At about the same time, about 40 people ganged up," the police statement said. The rioters threw iron bars, glass bottles, brooms and shovels at the officials. A man threw a shopping cart at officers.
"This created a life-threatening situation for the emergency services, who were outnumbered," the police said. One of the officials therefore fired two warning shots in the air and calmed the situation. Pepper spray was also used. The injured officers were taken to safety and treated as outpatients at the hospital.
Due to the injuries, the five officers could no longer continue their service, said Trier Police Director Christian Hamm. "I have never experienced such an outbreak of violence against emergency services in my time as head of the Trier police station." "A group of violent criminals ganged up to attack and injure the police simply because of their presence," Hamm said.
A 42-year-old and a 21-year-old were taken into custody, others are at large. The police launched an appeal for witnesses and initiated investigations into assault, resisting law enforcement officials, serious breach of the peace and attempted freeing of prisoners.
