Spain rocked by 'migrant riots' as far-right groups clash with North Africans
A southeastern Spanish town was rocked by violent clashes between far-right activists and North Africans on Saturday night.
This incident, one of the most severe in recent decades, follows an attack on an elderly man earlier in the week.
The pensioner was assaulted while strolling down a street in Torre-Pacheco by unidentified attackers during a time of heightened tension between members of the far-right and migrant groups in Spain.
He sustained multiple injuries and is said to be recuperating from his horrifying experience at home.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and no arrests have been made in relation to the assault.
Five individuals were injured and one person was arrested during Saturday's disturbance, as per local authorities.
The town was calmer on Sunday, but government sources anticipate further arrests.
Social media videos depict men clad in far-right emblem attire and migrants waving Moroccan flags throwing objects at each other.
Another video captures a man being tackled to the ground and beaten by an individual in a white T-shirt, reports the Express.
This eruption of violence comes after several days of escalating tensions and minor disturbances.
Mariola Guevara, the central government's representative in the region, informed Spanish public TV that the attack is under investigation.
She condemned "hate speech" and "incitement to violence," as far-right groups descended on the town.
The official also pledged to deploy additional Guardia Civil officers to the town to quell the unrest.
According to local government data, nearly a third of Torre-Pacheco's residents hail from abroad.
A significant number of migrants are employed as day labourers in the agricultural sector in areas surrounding the town, situated in the Murcia region.
Recently, the Murcia government had to retract a proposal to purchase housing for unaccompanied migrant minors, following opposition from the far-right Vox party.
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