Riot police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters in Brussels on Friday, 9 October, as students joined workers in a nationwide strike against government austerity measures and spending cuts.
Demonstrators marched through the Belgian capital as trade unions rallied against planned cuts, disrupting public transport and air travel.
Students also took to the streets to protest cuts to education funding, carrying placards warning of the impact on schools, universities and public services.
The demonstrations came after days of student unrest in the eastern Belgian city of Liège, where local media reported that 107 people had been arrested.
Authorities urged shopkeepers to close early and residents to avoid the city centre amid warnings of further disorder. The main railway station was temporarily shut before reopening, according to local media.
Belgium's emergency warning system, BE-Alert, issued an alert over serious unrest on Thursday, while police reported severe traffic disruption in the city centre.
Local media linked the arrests to alleged offences including property damage and arson, although authorities had yet to confirm the figures.
Footage shared on social media showed fires, shattered glass and crowds of mostly young protesters, while other videos captured police blocking roads.
Students have rallied against conditions in Belgium's French-language education system, citing rising costs, overcrowded classrooms and difficulties obtaining study materials.
Some demonstrators said they were in contact with students in neighbouring France, where similar protests over education and public services have gained momentum.
“We support each other because we're facing pretty much the same issues,” 19-year-old student Alfred told Reuters.
Amelia Di Salve, also 19 and training to become a teacher, said the Belgian student movement emerged earlier this year but gained fresh momentum after students witnessed protests in France.
“When we saw nothing was changing without protests, we decided we would start ... France did influence us a little,” she said.
Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer appealed for calm, telling Belgian broadcaster RTBF he hoped dialogue would allow young people to voice their grievances peacefully and ensure their concerns were heard.
The unrest in both countries underscores growing pressure on authorities over education funding, staff shortages and the future of public services.
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