---
title: "Riots in Barcelona: Over 120 Detained and Massive Damage Reported"
description: "Severe riots broke out in central Barcelona: police detained 128 people, including minors. 15 officers were injured and multiple stores looted."
date: 2026-10-25T13:35:29.725Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/riots-in-barcelona-detentions-and-damage
tags: [barcelona, spain, protests, riots, police, catalonia]
author: "Roman V."
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Riots in Barcelona: Over 120 Detained and Massive Damage Reported

![Equipped Spanish police officers in protective helmets and with a shield maintaining order on a street in Barcelona](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/25/besporyadki-v-barselone-zaderzhaniya-i-ushcherb/besporyadki-v-barselone-zaderzhaniya-i-ushcherb-1.webp)

## Key Points

- 128 riot participants detained in Barcelona, a quarter of them minors
- 15 police officers injured and about 14 shops looted during night clashes
- Mayor of Barcelona and Catalan leadership strongly condemned the violence and vandalism
- The riots coincided with large-scale protests in Madrid and France

Mass street protests in central Barcelona escalated into violent clashes with police, resulting in the detention of 128 people. The chaos began on Saturday around 18:00 near Catalonia Square, where groups of individuals in dark clothing started destroying urban furniture, quickly turning the situation into open violence accompanied by riots and looting.

### Chronology of Clashes and Police Response

The riots involved building barricades, burning trash bins, smashing store windows, and throwing stones at law enforcement officers. To restore order and suppress illegal actions, police were forced to use special crowd control equipment. According to official data, a quarter of the 128 detainees were minors.

### Damage to Urban Infrastructure and Business

During the night clashes, 15 police officers ensuring public order were injured, and about 14 shops in the city center were looted. Due to the escalation of violence, commercial establishments closed en masse, access to Catalonia Square was restricted, and subway train operations were temporarily suspended for safety reasons.

### Authorities' Reaction and Political Assessment

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni strongly condemned the actions of the violators and promised to hold those responsible accountable through the court system, while warning the parents of minor offenders. Catalan President Salvador Illa supported the police actions, emphasizing that violence cannot be justified. Regional Interior Minister Nuria Parlon described the situation as ungrounded vandalism, and authorities stressed that these riots were not connected to the peaceful housing rights camp.

### European Context of Social Protests

These events unfolded against the backdrop of a wave of large-scale social protests across several European nations. Notably, thousands gathered in Madrid for a rally defending the pension system, while in France similar demonstrations against the rising cost of living led to the detention of over 130 people, highlighting high regional social tension.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В Барселоне протесты переросли в жестокие стычки, более 120 человек задержаны](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/barseloni-protesti-pererosli-zhorstoki-sutichki-1792934465.html) - The original source confirms all key figures: 128 detainees, 15 injured police officers, 14 looted shops, and official statements.

## FAQ

### How many people were detained by police in Barcelona?

Law enforcement agencies detained 128 people, a quarter of whom turned out to be minors.

### What were the consequences of the clashes for urban infrastructure?

During the night riots, 15 police officers were injured, about 14 shops were robbed, and subway train traffic was temporarily suspended.

### How did the authorities react to the incident?

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni, Catalan President Salvador Illa, and Interior Minister Nuria Parlon condemned the violence, backed the police, and promised to prosecute those responsible.