Ethnic tensions erupted yesterday into running battles between police and a mob of thousands of youths, many chanting racial slurs, at a beachside suburb in southern Sydney.
At least six were arrested and several injured in alcohol-fueled fights at Cronulla beach.
Many youths were carrying beer bottles, waving Australian flags and chanting racist slogans in response to reports that youths of Lebanese descent were responsible for a recent attack last week on two of the beach's life guards.
Days ago, police increased the number of officers patrolling the beach after mobile phone text messages began circulating and calling for retaliation for the attacks.
But authorities appeared to be taken by surprise by the number of people who showed up yesterday.
Two ambulance officers were injured when some of the mob attacked their vehicle, pelting it with beer bottles. TV broadcasts showed a group of young women attacking another woman.
Other youths stomped on police vehicles and other cars. Officers fought back with batons and pepper spray.
The violence "is nothing short of disgusting and disgraceful," Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Goodwin said.
"It's certainly not the Australian way," he added.
"What has been occurring on some fronts is that people of Middle Eastern backgrounds that have been seen in the Cronulla area, a swarm of the crowd has approached these people with vile abuse, in the most un-Australian way," Goodwin said. "We have a number of reports of persons that have been assaulted."
Police said six people were arrested, and four of them charged with offenses including affray and assault.
New South Wales state's political leader, Premier Morris Iemma, slammed the rioters.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on an ambulance at North Cronulla today," Iemma said. "There is never any excuse to attack any emergency vehicle."
Islamic Friendship Association of Australia's President Keysar Trad said the violence was "bound to happen" after callers to some talk radio shows whipped up ethnic tensions following the attacks last weekend.
"Sections of the media took this issue far too far, and one can only surmise that the way [these] issues was dealt with on talk back radio amounts to incitement," Trad said.
He said the media turned a dispute between youths into an issue of ethnicity.
As evening fell on the beach the fighting subsided and Iemma appealed for calm.
"I urge everyone in the community to back our police and respect the rule of law which is the bedrock of our Australian community," Iemma said.
"We will do everything in our power to protect the right of all law-abiding Australians and our lifesaving volunteers to use the beach in safety," he said.
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