A brawl broke out between several people over wearing face masks at a gas station near Manchester in the U.K.
Police have launched an investigation into the fight that happened at a garage on Manchester Street in Oldham at around 3.40 p.m. on 21 October.
In the video, a group of women can be seen throwing punches at each other before another fight erupts between two men nearby.
It is unclear what started the two fights but The Manchester Evening News reported that a couple confronted a group of people for not wearing face coverings.
Shouts and expletives can be heard throughout the clip as the groups attack each other.
A woman can also be heard saying: “They refused to wear a mask. I’m clinically vulnerable,” and another shouts: “Wear a mask it’s the law.”
Onlookers can also be heard in the background asking people, presumably involved in the fight, if they are alright.
Oldham is currently in the “Very High” category of the U.K.’s three-tier coronavirus lockdown system with a rate of 409 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days leading up to October 15.
In the U.K., people must wear face masks in all shops unless they are medically exempt.
What have police said
Two people, a man and a woman, both in their 40s, were assaulted during the fight, Greater Manchester Police told Newsweek.
In a statement GMP said: “Shortly before 3.40 p.m. on Wednesday October 21st 2020 officers received a report that a man and a woman, both aged in their 40s, had been assaulted on Manchester Street, Oldham.
“Initial enquiries indicate that a disagreement occurred between two groups of people which resulted in a number of assaults taking place.
“A 41-year-old man was treated for minor injuries at the scene. No other injuries have been reported.
Supt. Niall Hayden-Pawson said: “We are aware that there is footage circulating on social media in relation to this assault.
“However, I would like to make it clear that this footage does not capture the entire disagreement which is why we are appealing for any witnesses to come forward with information that will help us in our investigation.
“Our officers are trying to piece together the exact circumstances which led to this assault.
“If you have any information at all that will assist with our enquires and help us establish the full picture of events then please do not hesitate to contact police.”
No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
