Several disturbances broke out on Saturday evening outside the asylum registration centre in Ter Apel during the first night without support from the Dutch Red Cross and VluchtelingenWerk Nederland. According to an ANP reporter at the scene, a small group of men repeatedly sought confrontations with asylum seekers leaving the registration centre.
During one of the incidents, an older asylum seeker was apparently kicked by one of the men as he walked past. Security staff initially tried to intervene, but the situation escalated when bystanders became involved. The man who allegedly kicked the asylum seeker was eventually removed from the area by security personnel. Police and an ambulance attended the scene. During another altercation, police used a baton, but no arrests were made. Several disturbances also involved bottles being smashed. No injuries were reported.
The Red Cross suspended its assistance because it said conditions had become too unsafe for aid workers and volunteers. Several incidents had occurred at the registration centre in recent weeks. VluchtelingenWerk Nederland also decided to stop providing support at the location.
Separately, at around 8.30pm, a man became unwell near the entrance to the registration centre. Security staff provided first aid before an ambulance took him to hospital.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
