US Capitol Hill siege explained: How it happened and who were involved

NEW DELHI: On January 6, 2021, as the US Congress assembled to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory, a mob of Donald Trump supporters occupied the US Capitol in a failed bid to overturn the election results.


Trump supporters armed with weapons attempted to disrupt the electoral college vote count and clashed with security personnel at the US Capitol building.

Following vandalism on Capitol premises, Mayor of Washington DC announced a curfew in the city.

By sun set, five were reported dead. Washington DC Police had seized weapons, chemical irritants from members of the mob.

An explosive device was recovered from the premises and at least 52 people were arrested. More than 50 officers were reported injured.

Here is a breakdown of events for the day which is now termed as the "darkest day in American democracy". As per historians, an American government institution had not been breached since the War of 1812.