Central Barcelona descended into chaos as hundreds of masked youths took to the streets, smashing storefronts, setting fires and looting businesses across the city's main shopping and tourist district. The violence erupted in Plaça de Catalunya and the surrounding commercial streets after calls circulated on social media urging people to take to the streets.
Europe Unrest
Hundreds loot Barcelona stores in riots
Masked youths smash shop windows, set fires and ransack businesses in the heart of Barcelona's shopping district, following social-media calls echoing recent unrest in France and Italy
At the height of the unrest, some 600 youths gathered in the area, many with their faces covered. They broke into shops, including electronics stores and at least one jewelry shop,stole merchandise, and damaged bus stops, bicycles, motorcycles and public property. Video footage showed rioters pounding on metal shutters with force where they could not gain entry to stores.
Spanish authorities reported that police arrested around 100 suspects, roughly a quarter of them minors. More than 220 officers were deployed to the area in an attempt to regain control, and during the night access to the Plaça de Catalunya station was restricted and passenger movement in the area was limited. At least 33 small fires were reported and 14 businesses were looted or vandalized. Salvador Illa, the president of Catalonia's regional government, condemned the violence and made clear it has no place in civil protest.
The incident drew particular attention because of its resemblance to riots that had broken out in France days earlier. In Barcelona, too, social-media calls went out urging action against the establishment, and local reports pointed to inspiration from the French protests. Organizers of a separate protest in the area, focused on the housing crisis, made clear they oppose violence and looting.
In France, demonstrations against the cost of living and conditions in the education system deteriorated into widespread rioting. In Paris and other cities, shop windows were smashed, electronics and luxury stores were looted, vehicles were set on fire and public buildings were vandalized. According to reports, more than 2,400 people were arrested during the unrest, and damage to businesses from the looting is estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.
