Norwegian police arrested four Belgian servicemen on Saturday night following a dispute that turned violent and ended with "20 to 30 people fighting", according to one witness.
The incident took place outside the Nabo'n Pub, with the owner telling local media that things got out of hand after closing time, with 20 to 30 people involved. One Norwegian resident was taken to hospital and will be questioned. Local police suspect there will be others who were injured but have not yet commented on the victims or suspects as the investigation is ongoing.
The fight broke out at around 02:00 at a bar in the Norwegian town of Åndalsnes – a town on the west coast of the country 440 kilometres north of Oslo. The Belgian soldiers, from the 2nd Commando Battalion from Flawinne (Namur), were there carrying out winter training, Yves Huwaert of the military union ACMP confirmed to VRT. The arrested soldiers are said to be between 20 and 40 years old.
'Only good experiences with Belgians'
The owner of the bar was keen to stress that this is the first incident she has known involving Belgians. "We have only had good experiences with them," she told Norwegian newspaper VG.
Norwegian police are asking not to post video recordings of the incident on social media, but to contact them instead. The Belgian military police is now working together with the Norwegian police.
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The Belgian army has been seeking the winter conditions of Norway for training for years. In recent days, 180 Belgian Special Operations paratroopers have been on an arctic training programme in Åndalsnes, an area of outstanding natural landscape that is frequented by climbers and outdoor adventurers.
Norwegian police will issue a statement on Sunday afternoon.
