Large-scale anti-migrant unrest rocked the Spanish city of Torre Pacheco after local residents organized protests against an alleged attack on a 68-year-old pensioner. A total of thirteen people were detained by the authorities after a series of violent actions.
The incident began after the circulation of a video on social media, which caused high tension among the local population. Three suspects, all around 20-22 years old and of Moroccan origin, were arrested on suspicion of physical violence.
The victim, identified as Domingo Tomas Dominguez, told Spanish media that during his morning walk he was knocked to the ground and struck by unknown attackers. The police initially failed to establish the exact motive for the attack.
Local authorities took immediate measures, mobilizing over 130 police officers from Murcia province and Guardia Civil. The Mayor of Torre Pacheco, Pedro Angel Roca, called on the immigrant community not to leave their homes and to avoid confrontations with angry groups.
The most serious riots broke out over the weekend, when groups of youths, some wearing hoods, began attacking vehicles and commercial establishments. Journalists witnessed dozens of young people throwing glass bottles at police units.
Political tension escalated after the leader of the far-right party Vox, Santiago Abascal, blamed immigration policy for what happened. The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, described the violence as a result of anti-immigration rhetoric.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke out sharply against the riots, emphasizing that they cause serious social tension. In a statement on social media, he called for preserving values and preventing hatred.
The Prosecutor's Office in Murcia began an investigation into hate crimes, focusing on the actions of the regional Vox leader Jose Angel Antelo. Meanwhile, calls were circulated in a far-right Telegram group to organize a "hunt" against North African immigrants.
The local community is deeply divided, with many immigrants working in agriculture no longer feeling safe. Most of them have lived in the area for more than two decades and are an integral part of the region's economy.
Authorities continue to monitor the development of the situation, making efforts to prevent further violent actions and restore calm to the town.