(MENAFN) Violent clashes broke out on Saturday night in Torre-Pacheco, a town in southeastern Spain, following an alleged attack earlier in the week on an elderly man by a Moroccan migrant. The confrontation involved local residents, far-right groups, and North African migrants.

Videos circulating on social media show groups of men shouting at each other and throwing objects like stones and bottles. In one clip, individuals are seen throwing a café chair during the scuffles, while another shows a man inside a car being attacked with stones by Arabic-speaking youths. Riot police and the Civil Guard were deployed to contain the violence and prevent further escalation.

According to a local official who spoke to Reuters, at least five people were injured in the disturbances, and one arrest has been made so far. Authorities indicated that additional arrests are expected for those involved in the violence or accused of inciting hatred. Despite the unrest over the weekend, the situation had largely calmed by Sunday. Authorities also announced the launch of an investigation and emphasized their opposition to any form of racial violence.

This latest incident adds to a growing pattern of violent clashes in Spain linked to immigration tensions. Earlier this month, protests broke out near an asylum center outside Madrid after a woman was allegedly raped by a man from Mali.

Since 2015, the European Union has grappled with a surge in migration driven by conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and more recently, Ukraine. While many EU countries have tightened border policies in response to crime concerns, Spain has taken a different approach. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez advocates for migrant integration, viewing immigration as essential for addressing labor shortages and sustaining the welfare system.

Meanwhile, Spain’s right-wing Vox party recently pledged to deport up to eight million people if victorious in the next election, targeting not only recent arrivals but also naturalized citizens deemed to have failed in integrating into Spanish society.

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