Police arrest eight in connection with race riots in Australia

Eight males, including four juveniles, were arrested Friday in connection the violent race riots that rocked Sydney 's southern beaches late last year, police said in a statement.

Photo: Police arrest eight in connection with race riots in Australia

The violence erupted in the beachside suburb of Cronulla on Dec. 11 last year, when 5,000 mostly male, Caucasian youths launched a beer-fueled rampage against people who appeared Middle Eastern.

The Cronulla riot sparked two nights of retaliatory attacks by carloads of youths of Middle Eastern appearance, shocking this city of 4 million that had prided itself on being a successful multiracial melting pot.

Police allege the eight males, aged 16 to 21, were involved in the revenge attacks and will be charged with rioting and affray. Around 600 people have been arrested since the riots, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Reported, reports the AP.

D.M.