Evacuation from the nearby shopping center before the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest

When the news portal tv3.lt arrived at the huge shopping center, a huge flow of people was noticed. Soon sirens were heard – it turns out that a fire had been declared in the shopping center and people were being evacuated.

There were no visible signs of fire or smoke.

Even before the start of the competition, the passion for this did not subside – fans were angry with the decision of the organizers to allow the country to participate in the event. With a couple of hours to go before the second semi-final, Malmö is in a state of unrest as many people gather to protest.

Before Israel’s representative Eden Golan took to the stage of the Malmö Arena on Thursday evening, a large group of people gathered in the city’s main square to protest against Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip and the decision of the Eurovision organizers to allow the country to participate in the contest.

People gathered carrying Palestinian flags and placards with the words “EBU Shows Its Racism”, “Stop Genocide”, “Boycott Israel”, etc.

Security has been beefed up throughout the city

A large police force arrived in the main square of Malmö.

Protest in Malmö against Israel’s participation in Eurovision

(11 photos)

Protest in Malmö against Israel’s participation in Eurovision (photo: tv3.lt)

Officials from Sweden, Norway and Denmark regularly patrol the Malmö Arena, the city center and the Eurovision Village, with security beefed up everywhere.

Metal barriers and large concrete blocks have been erected around the Malmö Arena, where the Eurovision Song Contest is being held, and police are closely guarding the site and checking visitors’ bags.