Germany: Residents of quarantined apartment block in Göttingen clash with police June 20

Event

Residents of the Groner Landstrasse apartment block in Göttingen clashed with police on Saturday, June 20, as they vented their frustrations over a week-long quarantine of the housing complex that began on Thursday, June 18. The quarantine was imposed after it was revealed around 120 of the 700 residents were believed to be infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Around midday (local time) on Saturday, residents angry at the measures threw projectiles towards police and set objects on fire, and attempted to break down a fence erected by authorities to prevent residents from leaving. Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the residents. Several police officers were reportedly injured in the clashes and additional security personnel were deployed to the site on Sunday, June 21. 

Further unrest is possible around the housing block in the coming days.

Advice

Individuals in Göttingen are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the area of the apartment block as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.