World

Baltimore riots: Troops deployed as cleanup begins

April 28, 2015 6:04 pm

Thousands of troops and outside police officers have been deployed to the US city of Baltimore, following violent protests linked to the death of a black man fatally injured in police custody.

A week-long curfew has been announced. Schools and many businesses are closed.

On Monday, hundreds of people set fires, looted stores and confronted police across the city.

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City officials have been criticised for not responding more aggressively.

US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that the riots have unfairly overshadowed the peaceful protests about police use of force.

“There is no excuse for the kind of violence we saw yesterday,” Mr. Obama said. “They are not protesters. They are not making a statement. They are stealing.”

Volunteers and city workers began cleaning up affected areas on Tuesday morning. Smoke still rose from buildings set alight the night before.

Officials said about 200 people were arrested and more than 100 cars were set on fire on Monday. Fifteen buildings were destroyed.