Riots at Demonstration in Spain: 100 Arrested and Shops Looted

A demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, turned violent on Saturday night (24 October 2026). Some protesters looted shops and set fire to public facilities in the city centre. Police arrested 100 people in connection with the unrest.

Reuters reported on Sunday (25 October 2026) that the violence occurred around Plaça de Catalunya, a busy area popular with tourists and local residents, particularly at weekends. Núria Parlon, Catalonia’s Interior Minister, said about 25% of those arrested were minors.

She also said more than 30 fires broke out during the unrest. Fourteen shops were reported damaged or targeted by looters.

The demonstration had been promoted on social media under an anti-system banner. Posts circulating online also used the slogan “Institut Indignats”, inspired by France’s “Lycées Indignés” movement. The slogan has been used to mobilise student protests in recent weeks.

Videos shared on social media showed a tense scene, with shoppers trapped inside stores, including the El Corte Inglés department store. Shop doors were shut to prevent crowds from entering and looting.

Other footage showed demonstrators dressed in black and wearing face coverings kicking in shop windows before making off with goods. Some social media users watching the videos online appeared to support the looting.

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni strongly condemned the vandalism in the city and said those responsible would face legal consequences.

Collboni also warned that the parents or guardians of minors involved in the unrest could be held legally accountable.

The violence in Barcelona came amid a series of youth protests in several European cities, including in France. However, local authorities stressed that the unrest was not connected to a peaceful demonstration for housing rights held near Plaça de Catalunya.