Germany

Hamburg: G20 protests in pictures

"Schanzenviertel" covered in debris

This part of town was the scene of escalating violence. That did not come as a surprise: The quarter is traditionally the hub of Hamburg's leftist activists. It has been subject to gentrification, turning into a "hip" place to live and magnet for tourists.
A night of devastation

Police regained control over the streets of Hamburg in the early hours of the morning.
Looting and rioting

Several shops were looted and damaged during the first day of protests.
Smoke bombs

Black block protesters were throwing flares at police from behind street baracades. It took several hours for police to really push back in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Fires were lit and shops looted

Fires were set in Hamburg streets and some cars were burned out.
Burning barricades

Protesters lit barricades on Friday evening. Throughout the city cars had been set on fire.
Violence took over as night fell

Cars were burned and barricades set alight as a violent mob stepped up its actions, sidelining the majority of mainly peaceful protesters.
Black Bloc

Police blamed anarchists with the so-called Black Bloc movement for much of the violence. Black Bloc protesters wear all black and cover their faces to avoid being identified.
Battle of G20 Hamburg

Riot police disperse crowds with water cannon vehicles on Friday.
Armored vehicles on the streets

Police use water against a woman after she climbed on top of an armoured carrier on Friday.
Chasing protesters

Police chased protesters up a hill to gain control of the streets.
War zone

A picture published on social media shows smoke rising from the streets during protests on Friday.
Children among those affected

Violent protests turned several neighborhoods where children usually play into scenes from a warzone.