Torre-Pacheco, a small town in southern Spain, has plunged into chaos following a brutal assault on a 70-year-old man, which sparked violent clashes between right-wing groups, local residents, and North African migrants. The unrest, which escalated on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, left at least three people injured and one person arrested, prompting authorities to deploy significant police reinforcements to restore order.
The tensions began when the elderly man, identified as Domingo, was viciously beaten during his morning walk with his dog by a group of young migrants. Shocking images of the victim’s bloodied face, widely shared on social media, triggered outrage among locals and intensified already strained community relations. Local authorities confirmed that the attack may have been linked to a social media challenge, although the investigation is still ongoing.
So far, the perpetrators have not been apprehended, despite having posted a video online showing the beating of the elderly man.
The situation spiraled out of control on Saturday when local residents mobilized, demanding retaliation against the migrant community. Clashes broke out, resulting in injuries, which led the Spanish government to send additional forces from Murcia. Mariola Guevara, the government’s delegate in the Region of Murcia, announced a strengthened police presence, with reinforcements arriving from Madrid and the Ministry of the Interior.
The violence has exposed deeper social tensions in Torre-Pacheco, a town with a significant immigrant population and growing support for the right-wing Vox party, which advocates for stricter immigration policies. Residents are voicing increasing concerns over public safety.
As of midday Sunday, the situation remains tense, with authorities maintaining a strong security presence to prevent further outbreaks of violence. Investigations into the original assault are ongoing, and more arrests are expected. The attack has drawn national media attention, raising pressing questions about immigration policy and social cohesion in Spain.