on 28 September. Police said some of those arrested were carrying material to make petrol bombs. At least 242 crime files were opened by the police. Most rioters were identified as immigrant youths from North-African origin, who claimed that they are upset by the death of Chaaban. A Belgian official said that the rioting was the worst since youths set fire to 15 vehicles across Belgium in November 2005, in violent riots which authorities said imitated unrest then going on in France. On Belgian RTBF radio, Brussels's mayor Freddy Thielemans thanked the family of the late Fayçal Chaaban for helping to try to calm down the rioters. By 29 September, the situation was said to be calm again. See also 2013 Trappes riots 2013 Stockholm riots 2011 English riots 2010 Rinkeby riots 2009 French riots 2007 Villiers-le-Bel riots 2005 French riots Sectarian violence References Brussels riots Protests in Belgium Protests in the European Union Race riots Brussels Riots, 2006 Racism in Belgium Riots and civil disorder in Belgium 2000s in Brussels September 2006 events in Europe