Refugee crisis: Dutch meeting on building asylum seeker centre abandoned after rioting breaks out

Police fire warning shots after meeting in Geldermalsen was disrupted by rowdy protesters who massed outside

The influx of refugees in the Netherlands has caused tensions between hard-line opponents and those who welcome the new arrivals (EPA)

A Dutch municipality's meeting to discuss building a centre for asylum seekers has been abandoned amid rioting by opponents of the plan.

The meeting in Geldermalsen, 70 kilometers (45 miles) southeast of Amsterdam, was called to discuss the municipality's support for establishing a centre for 1,500 asylum seekers, but was disrupted by rowdy protesters who massed outside.

Dutch media reported that riot police fired warning shots to disperse the crowd.

Local mayor Miranda de Vries tweeted that everybody in the meeting hall was safe, adding that she was "through and through sad."

Thousands of migrants have entered the Netherlands this year as part of the massive influx arriving in Europe.

Their arrival has caused tensions between hard-line opponents and those who are welcoming to the new arrivals.

Associated Press