Dutch police swamped as teen's party goes viral

Dutch police detained 34 people when rioting broke out as thousands of party-goers invaded a small town for a teenager's birthday after her Facebook invite went viral, local officials said Saturday.

The individuals will be charged with public disturbance and more arrests could be expected after police study pictures taken of the Friday night clashes in the sleepy northern town of Haren, police chief Oscar Drots said at a press conference.

"An innocent call on Facebook to party led to riots, destruction, looting, fires and injuries in the centre of the town," Haren mayor Rob Bats said at the press conference, adding that 500 police officers had been called to the scene.

Twenty-nine people, including three officers, sustained injuries but...

Continue reading (+video)

An example of the power of social networking services...