Dutch Police Use Water Cannon on People As Demonstrators Protest Return of Lockdown - Tasnim News Agency

(Tasnim) – Hundreds of Dutch protestors had a water cannon turned on them by police after they objected to the partial return of lockdown in the Netherlands as COVID cases continue to soar.

Dutch police blasted a group of around 200 people in The Hague with water in a bid to disperse demonstrators who had been throwing stones and fireworks in protest on Friday evening, the Daily Mail reported.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte, 54, was giving a press briefing to the media when protestors clashed with riot police and mounted officers outside the Justice and Security Ministry in the Dutch city.

In the clip, dozens of protestors can be seen sitting on the ground where they brace for impact as police turned the water cannons on them. As they turn their backs and shield one another from the barrage, officers spray them again.

Later that evening, after flares, projectiles and bicycles were thrown at police, officers were seen hitting fleeing demonstrators with batons as what started as a peaceful protest descended into chaos.

Although death remain low, the Netherlands recorded their highest ever daily infection count positive COVID cases on Friday as medics warned hospitals were being put under huge pressure amid a record-breaking surge of infections.