The town of Torre Pacheco witnesses escalating violence as anti-migrant sentiments flare, culminating in arrests and calls for peace from local leaders.
**Tensions Rise in Torre Pacheco: Fourteen Arrested Amid Anti-Migrant Protests**
**Tensions Rise in Torre Pacheco: Fourteen Arrested Amid Anti-Migrant Protests**
Unrest erupts in southern Spain following an attack on a pensioner, leading to heightened police presence.
Fourteen individuals were detained in Torre Pacheco, southern Spain, following a spate of anti-migrant riots that ignited after a pensioner was assaulted. The unrest erupted after a video linked to the incident went viral, prompting social media campaigns to seek retribution against North African residents in the area, which has a significant immigrant community.
Authorities reported that three young men of Moroccan descent, aged in their early twenties, were arrested for the attack on the 68-year-old man, Domingo Tomás Domínguez, who recounted being assaulted while on his morning stroll. Despite the backlash sparked by the social media video—deemed unrelated by both the victim and law enforcement—mobs began to form, armed with bats and other implements, creating chaos on the streets.
In response to the escalating violence, including clashes between far-right groups and locals of North African descent, law enforcement bolstered their presence, deploying over 130 officers from local police and the Guardia Civil. This decision came in the wake of increasing reports of vandalism and aggression toward immigrant-owned businesses, with rioters reportedly attacking vehicles and properties during the unrest.
The mayor of Torre Pacheco, Pedro Ángel Roca, urged the migrant population to remain indoors and avoid confrontation. Many locals employed in agriculture expressed fears for their safety, having lived in the town for decades without incident.
Extremist groups have, however, incited further violence, with calls for “hunts” against North Africans circulating on social media before being shut down. This political and social tension has drawn comments from Spanish officials, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who condemned the violence and emphasized Spain's commitment to rights over hate.
The aftermath of these riots highlights the complex relationship between immigration and local communities in Spain, revealing both fears and hopes for peace as local religious leaders call for calm amid the turmoil.
