Two adolescent boys were killed in an accident before a riot broke out in Cardiff, injuring several police officers.
100–150 people gathered in Ely on Monday and burned vehicles and tossed fireworks at police.
Police rejected social media rumours that they were engaged in the crash, saying they arrived afterward.
The connection between the collision and the disorder was unclear, according to the police and crime commissioner for South Wales.
Alun Michael stated, “It appears there were rumors, and those rumors spread, of a police chase, which was not the case.”
“I believe this demonstrates the speed with which rumors can spread in today’s social media environment, and how events can spiral out of control.”
Mr. Michael stated that up to twelve officers were injured during the disturbance.
Monday around 18:00 BST, South Wales Police was dispatched to the site of a fatal crash on Snowden Road.
At approximately 20:00 BST, the police tweeted that they were attempting to both manage the collision and de-escalate the ongoing disorder at the site.
The force reported receiving numerous inquiries from “understandably frightened” residents.
Tuesday at 01:10 BST, police reported that multiple vehicles had been set ablaze and arrests were being made.
The force also expressed its condolences to the families of the two deceased lads and those affected by the subsequent disorder.
A police spokesperson stated that more arrests would follow.
“Our immediate priority is to conduct a thorough investigation into the collision’s causes and the horrific scenes that ensued.”
Mr. Michael stated that the accident that resulted in the deaths of the two teenagers was “being investigated in its own right” but that it appeared to have sparked the disorder.
However, he stated that the link between the two incidents was “far from obvious.”
Mr. Michael stated that there would be investigations conducted this morning to determine what transpired.
Ely is an estate located approximately five miles (eight kilometers) west of Cardiff.
Ahmad Abdullah, a 34-year-old resident, reported hearing rioters threaten to “kill” police officers at the site”.
They stated that they would not cease until a police officer was killed.
“People in this community no longer feel secure. We believe escalation could occur at any time.”
He stated that youth were pursuing police officers up the road while hurling rocks and other projectiles at passing vehicles.
Mr. Ahmad, a taxi driver who resides on the rioting street with his wife and three children, stated that police officers used fire extinguishers to extinguish missiles that had been set on fire and thrown at cars.
“They damaged my taxi and my neighbor’s car as well. They were hurling stones and bricks at my front door.
“It appeared as if they were hurling missiles. Like a missile.
He stated, “I thought to myself, this is the end of the world.”
According to the vicar of Ely, something has been “simmering” in the region for quite some time.
Canon Jan Gould told: “It is not uncommon to hear helicopters keeping an eye on things during the summer.” It is becoming an increasing problem.
She went on to say, “My heart bleeds for Ely.
Two police vehicles were damaged in the commotion, with photographs showing one with a broken windscreen and detached wing mirrors.
According to one of the senior officers on the scene, a member of the public was also assaulted because some of those present mistook them for a covert officer.
At least two parked vehicles were set on fire, one of which was turned onto its roof.
Jane Palmer stated that she and her family observed her automobile being set on fire from a window.
“Because I’m disabled, I’m now stranded without a car,” she said.
“Why are they acting in this manner? It’s ridiculous now.”
Mark Drakeford, the first minister of Wales, also stated that he was “very concerned” by the “upsetting reports” from Ely overnight.
Mr. Drakeford stated, “We continue to monitor the situation to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances.”
As the disorder persisted into the early hours of the morning, those gathered moved along the nearby Highmead Road as police attempted to disperse them.
Police, including mounted officers, were spotted outside the Ely police station in response to rumors that it may have been the target of an attack.
John Urquhart, a resident of Ely, saw the incident escalate throughout the evening.
He stated that the vast majority of people were on the street because they “wanted to know what would happen next” and that “very few people were engaging in violence.”
Mr. Urquhart stated that he was “anti-violence” and administered first aid to individuals throughout the evening.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that those responsible for the violence were “children” and that it had “crossed a line” and “must stop.”
