Over 120 arrested, 70 injured in disturbances in Argentinian capital

Buenos Aires, July 14 (IANS/EFE) More than 120 people were arrested and 70 others injured in the disturbances here that followed Argentina's loss to Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, officials said Monday.

"This did not just happen, it was planned. There was planning to make this happen and create great chaos," Efe cited La Red radio network quoting Argentine Security Secretary Sergio Berni as saying.

Groups of masked individuals broke up the pavement in the streets of downtown Buenos Aires, looted businesses, vandalised automobiles, clashed with police and harassed reporters starting just after 10 p.m, Berni said.

"They were very drunk. We had to take action, no one likes to take action during a celebration. Acting under these conditions is very difficult, there were children and babies, you had to separate the wheat from the chaff," the security secretary said.

The disturbances marred a celebration that saw tens of thousands of fans turn out at the iconic Obelisk in Buenos Aires to watch the World Cup final, in which Germany beat Argentina 1-0.

--IANS/EFE

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