Violent clashes erupt between far-right groups and migrants in Spanish town

Violent clashes broke out in the southeastern Spanish town of Torre-Pacheco, on Saturday night, involving far-right groups, local residents, and North African migrants. The unrest followed the assault of an elderly man earlier in the week by unknown attackers.

Five people were injured, and one person was arrested, local authorities told Reuters. While the town remained calmer on Sunday, officials indicated that more arrests could follow.

Footage circulating on social media showed individuals wearing far-right insignias and others carrying Moroccan flags throwing objects at each other. The violence came after several days of growing tension following the street assault on the elderly man on Wednesday, who is recovering. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and no suspects have been detained.

Mariola Guevara, the central government’s representative in the region, confirmed an ongoing investigation and condemned the spread of hate speech and incitement by far-right activists. She also announced the deployment of additional Guardia Civil units to stabilise the situation.

Torre-Pacheco, located in Spain’s Murcia region, has a high proportion of foreign-born residents, many of whom work as seasonal agricultural labourers- an essential part of the local economy. Just weeks earlier, Murcia’s regional government was forced to abandon a plan to house unaccompanied migrant minors after pressure from the far-right Vox party, whose support is vital to the conservative People's Party-led administration.

The incident has revived memories of past anti-immigrant violence, including the 2000 riots in El Ejido, Almeria, sparked by the killings of three Spaniards by Moroccan nationals.

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