Police arrested 128 people overnight after a gathering in central Barcelona descended into looting, vandalism and clashes with officers, Catalan authorities said on Sunday, October 25. The incidents occurred around Plaça de Catalunya on Saturday evening, when groups of young people gathered for a demonstration promoted through social media. According to regional police, 72 of those detained were minors, while 15 police officers were injured during the unrest. Authorities said businesses and public property were damaged as groups attacked shops and set fires in the city centre.

The gathering had not been formally notified to authorities and drew hundreds of young people, many wearing black clothing and hoods. The mobilisation was promoted online under slogans associated with an anti-establishment movement, including “Institut Indignats”, a name inspired by a student protest movement in France. The gathering initially brought participants to the central square before disorder spread to surrounding streets. Police said the incidents involved attacks on businesses, damage to public property and other acts of vandalism. Investigators are examining how the call for the gathering spread online and whether the unrest was coordinated by particular individuals or groups.

Catalan police chief Silvia Cata said 128 people had been detained on suspicion of involvement in vandalism, damage to public property and looting. Of those arrested, 72 were minors, and their cases are expected to be referred to the juvenile prosecutor’s office. Police said only two of the detainees had previous records for public-order offences. Cata described the violence as gratuitous and said authorities were working to understand the backgrounds of those detained. The high proportion of minors among the arrests has prompted attention from regional officials, who have warned that young people involved in criminal acts could face legal consequences.

Also Read: BJP Leaders Praise PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat For Inspiring Indians

The unrest caused substantial damage in the city centre. Police reported that 23 businesses were vandalised, while firefighters responded to 33 incidents involving fires, including burning rubbish bins and other street furniture. Officers also recorded administrative violations and seized items including knives, sprays, face coverings, pyrotechnics and stones. Images circulated on social media showed people smashing shop windows and removing goods from businesses. In some cases, shops lowered their security shutters to prevent further looting, leaving customers and employees inside as the situation unfolded. The disturbances affected an area popular with tourists and weekend shoppers.

Fifteen police officers were injured during the incidents, according to the latest figures released by Catalan authorities. Four officers were reported to have suffered serious injuries. Police moved to disperse groups involved in the violence as clashes spread through the streets surrounding Plaça de Catalunya. The disturbances also disrupted activity in the area, with access restrictions and temporary interruptions to transport reported during the response. Authorities subsequently worked to restore normal conditions and investigate the damage. The reported arrest total was higher than an earlier figure of 100 released on Saturday evening, reflecting the updated police accounting on Sunday.

Catalonia’s regional president, Salvador Illa, condemned the violence and said that protesting was a democratic right but did not justify attacks, intimidation or destruction of property. Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni also said the city would pursue legal action against those responsible for the damage. He warned that consequences could extend to the legal guardians of minors involved, depending on the circumstances and applicable law. Authorities have stressed that investigations are continuing to identify those who took part in the looting and determine whether anyone organised the disorder. The incidents come amid a wider wave of demonstrations and unrest in several European countries, where youth-led gatherings have at times been followed by vandalism and clashes with police.

Also Read: Kharge Invokes Lord Ram While Criticising BJP Over Alleged Misuse Of Ayodhya Temple Issue