Northern Ireland

Two teenagers suffer burn injuries in Creggan riots

Petrol bombs were thrown onto PSNI Land Rovers as they maintained a security cordon in Creggan
Petrol bombs were thrown onto PSNI Land Rovers as they maintained a security cordon in Creggan Petrol bombs were thrown onto PSNI Land Rovers as they maintained a security cordon in Creggan

ONE of two teenagers injured during rioting in Creggan may have been burned after throwing petrol onto an already burning petrol bomb.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton revealed that up to 100 people gathered at Creggan Heights overnight on Monday after police sealed the area off.

He said more than 40 petrol bombs were thrown at police Land Rovers which were containing the search site.

“Police believe at least two young people sustained burn injuries when they tried to use petrol bombs to attack the police cordon. No police officers were injured,” he said.

Throughout Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday, youths bombarded parked police vehicles with missiles and petrol bombs.

As petrol bombs ignited on the fire-proof bonnets, the Land Rovers briefly shunted forward to ensure the burning material spilled onto the ground. They then took position in the cordon again.

During footage of one such action, shared widely on social media, a youth is seen running towards the cordon seconds after a petrol bomb has exploded on a Land Rover’s bonnet and windscreen.

He can then be seen throwing flammable liquid on the already burning petrol bomb.

The PSNI Land Rover shunts forward, spilling the burning liquid on to the ground. It is at this point that the youth runs into the flames, attempting possibly to retrieve the vessel used to carry the flammable liquid.

As he emerges, the lower parts of his trousers as well as the hem of his hoodie and one sleeve can be seen burning. Seconds later, other youths in the main riot group can be seen beating out the flames.