A protest in favour of a stricter asylum policy in the Netherlands has erupted into violence and chaos as rioters clashed with police and vandalised a political party's office, just weeks before the country holds a general election.
Police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse rioters who threw objects at officers and torched a police car.
According to the ANP news agency, several thousand people initially took part in a rally against immigration and in favour of stricter asylum regulations and more affordable housing for Dutch people.
The protest got out of hand when about 1500 demonstrators ran onto the A12 motorway through The Hague and obstructed traffic.
There was no immediate word on injuries or arrests.
Dutch media showed rioters also attacking an office of progressive political party D66.
"Scum. You keep your hands off political parties," the party's leader Rob Jetten said in a message on X.
"If you think you can intimidate us, tough luck. We will never let extremist rioters take our beautiful country away."
A smaller group of rioters headed for the Dutch parliament complex, which is currently fenced off as it undergoes a years-long renovation.
Police prevented them entering the largely deserted area.
"Shocking and bizarre images of shameless violence in The Hague, after a demonstration got out of hand," caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote on X.
He called the attacks on police and the D66 office "completely unacceptable" and expressed confidence that police and prosecutors would bring the rioters to justice.
The unrest comes ahead of an October 29 general election that was called after anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling coalition in a dispute over moves to rein in migration.
In a statement, Wilders condemned the rioters for blocking a highway and attacking police, calling them "idiots" and "scum".
with DPA