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A petrol bomb lands close to a police officer during last night's riots Peter Morrison/AP/Press Association Images
Belfast

Photographer shot as rioting continues in Belfast (Gallery)

Up to 400 people hurled fireworks and petrol bombs in violent clashes, as police advised the media to avoid the area for their own safety.

Updated 09:20

A PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER was shot in the leg last night as between 300 and 400 people rioted in east Belfast.

Three shots were fired as loyalist and nationalist crowds threw petrol bombs, paint bombs and fireworks in the loyalist Lower Newtownards Road. There were also clashes between crowds and PSNI officers, who fired plastic baton rounds as rioters threw masonry.

It is the second night of rioting in the area, which saw two people receive gunshot wounds on Monday. Two other men received burn injuries last night, the BBC reports.

The photographer was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition. The PSNI last night described the incident as “serious disorder” and advised the media to stay out of the area for their own safety. Roads were closed and motorists also advised to stay away.

A 20-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of offensive weapon and assault, and remains in custody this morning.

The rioting was sparked on Monday when gangs of loyalist youths attacked a row of nationalist houses in the neighbouring Short Strand area, the SDLP’s Conall McDevitt told RTE radio. PSNI Chief Supt Alan McCrum later said the attack had been “orchestrated” by UVF loyalist paramilitaries, and branded it “an attempt to murder police officers” after two shots hit a PSNI Land Rover.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said yesterday: “It is disappointing and deeply concerning to see this level of violence return to our streets,” the Irish Times reports.

Photographer shot as rioting continues in Belfast (Gallery)
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  • Second night of riots in Belfast

    A petrol bomb lands close to a PSNI officer. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
  • Second night of riots in Belfast

    PSNI vehicles come under attack (Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images)
  • Second night of riots in Belfast

    PSNI officers come under attack. (Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images)
  • Second night of riots in Belfast

    Loyalist rioters attack police. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
  • Second night of riots in Belfast

    Loyalist rioters throw petrol bombs towards the mainly Catholic Short Strand area. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
  • Second night of riots in Belfast

    A PSNI officer puts a bandage on a press photographer's leg after he was shot by a rioter. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
  • Second night of riots in Belfast

    18-month-old Jude Millen looks out from the window of his godfather's sitting room after the first night of rioting in the Short Strand area. (Julien Behal/PA Wire/Press Association Images)

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