Student protests erupt in Liege, Belgium

Hundreds of students have taken to the streets in the Walloon city of Liege, Belgium, to protest against rising education costs and deteriorating university conditions. These demonstrations, which were inspired by ongoing unrest in neighboring France, have led to significant civil disruption, including reports of property damage and arson. Local authorities have conducted 107 arrests over the past few days as the situation escalated.

In response to the growing unrest, the Belgian government issued a BE-Alert warning regarding major disturbances, while local police advised shopkeepers to close their businesses early. On Wednesday, authorities took measures to control the crowds by closing the central railway station and utilizing tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. While some reports from the field mention over 50 arrests, official sources cite the total number of detainees at 107 in connection with the unrest.

The student movement is centered on grievances regarding the Francophone education system, specifically citing excessive tuition fees, overcrowding in classrooms, and inadequate access to essential study materials. Tensions remain high in the city center as authorities continue to monitor the potential for further escalation.