Doha: Spanish police have largely restored order in the southeastern town of Torre Pacheco, following several nights of anti-migrant unrest that shook the quiet municipality near the Mediterranean coast in Murcia.
According to Qatar News Agency, local media reported that authorities imposed tight restrictions on a far-right rally Tuesday evening, after violent incidents were sparked by social media posts calling for a "hunt" targeting migrants.
Mayor Pedro Angel Roca confirmed that many of the rioters came from outside the town, and some were armed with baseball bats and clubs. These individuals attacked North African immigrants, set fire to garbage bins, launched fireworks, and hurled bottles and Molotov cocktails at police forces. Thirteen people were arrested in connection with the violence.
Torre Pacheco, home to around 40,000 residents, has a significant immigrant population and had previously been known for peaceful coexistence. The unrest began after an alleged assault on a local elderly man, which was followed by inflammatory online posts and organized far-right mobilization.