The Northern Irish town of Ballymena erupted with shocking scenes of riots that targeted homes and businesses after a peaceful protest. CBC’s visual investigations team takes you inside the events as they unfolded.

Ballymena

The town of Ballymena in Northern Ireland experienced three consecutive nights of anti-immigrant riots following a peaceful protest sparked by allegations against two Romanian-speaking teenagers. The situation escalated quickly, with car fires, attacks on homes, and confrontations with police reported.

The violence spread across several areas, with residents and police targeted by rioters. Authorities responded with water cannons, and a dozen arrests have been made. The unrest also affected a nearby town, where a leisure center sheltering families was attacked.

How the anti-immigrant riots in Northern Ireland unfolded

How did this turn into this? The northern Irish town of Ballymena spiraled into three nights of anti-immigrant violence. It began as a peaceful protest after two Romanian-speaking teenagers were accused of sexual assault. But it quickly turned violent. Car fires, houses burned, police attacked. We analyzed and verified dozens of social media videos and images to show how one town descended into riots. Monday evening, residents gathered at a car park in the town. We're here in solidarity. We're all together. Keep it peaceful. Before 10pm, violence begins. Barricades are set on fire near a church. And houses are attacked. It all happens within a few blocks. Tuesday, violence intensifies. People gather at a main intersection. Cars are set on fire and protesters throw objects at police. Houses also burn. It all happens here, here and here. Wednesday, residents put up signs to keep rioters away. But the violence continues. A man firing what looks like a firework at police vehicles. A man catches fire. It's not clear from what. Police then use water cannons on the rioters. A crowd throws rocks at a home, breaking the window. And in a nearby town, rioters attack a leisure center hosting families fleeing the violence. A dozen people have been arrested so far.

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