3 Northern Ireland police officers wounded by shotgun blast in Belfast riots

3 Northern Ireland officers hit by shotgun blast

LONDON — Police in Northern Ireland say three officers have been wounded by a shotgun blast during overnight riots in Belfast and two dozen other officers have sustained other injuries.

The riots broke out as sectarian tensions rose with the approach of Monday’s celebrations by Protestants of a 17th century battlefield victory over Irish Catholics.

The violence occurred in Catholic areas of central Belfast.

Police said one female officer and two male officers were wounded by shotgun pellets, and two dozen other officers sustained various injuries. None of the injuries was reported to be life-threatening.