Several cars and an environmental station were set on fire in the Rosengård district of Malmö on Sunday evening, and later that night several cars also burned in an underground garage.
– It is extremely regrettable to once again see acts of violence and vandalism at Rosengård, says Petra Stenkula, police area manager in Malmö, in a statement.
At least 20 cars were set on fire on Ramels väg in Rosengård alone on Sunday evening and stones were thrown at the police vehicles when they arrived at the scene.
Towards midnight there were still a lot of people in the area, but the atmosphere had calmed down.
– The throwing of stones at the police and emergency services has stopped completely, but there are still fires in trash cans and several cars as well as a garbage station, says police spokesperson Evelina Olsson to TT.
Wreckage is recovered from the scene
At 02:30, two cars were set on fire in an underground garage of an apartment building on Ramel väg. At 03:00, the emergency services and tow trucks had begun to clear away car wrecks from the area.
– We haven’t had to evacuate anyone, but the emergency services are still on the scene and I haven’t received information about whether it’s completely extinguished yet, says Tommy Bengtsson, officer on duty at police region South, to TT.
Violent riot at Koran burning
Earlier on Sunday, a violent riot took place at Värnhem when Salwan Momika burned a Koran. Three people were arrested. Patric Fors, the police’s press spokesperson, cannot, however, answer whether the car fires and stone throwing in Rosengård are related to the riot and the Koran burning.
– It is too early to say, he says.
No one was injured in the incident and no one has been arrested at this time.
The police have filed a report of aggravated arson after the garage fire.