Spanish authorities have launched an investigation into nearly 300 individuals believed to be involved in recent anti-migrant riots in the town of Torre Pacheco, located in the Murcia region. The violent unrest, which took place earlier in July, has raised serious concerns about the growing influence of far-right extremist groups in Spain.
According to a police announcement made on July 24, about 300 people have been identified in connection with the riots. These clashes followed a violent attack on an elderly man, which was later used to fuel hateful rhetoric against migrants. Spanish officials confirmed that this incident played a key role in sparking the violence, which primarily targeted the town’s migrant community.
Local prefect Mariola Guevara shared with reporters that if it is proven these individuals committed crimes or administrative violations, they will face fines or arrests. She warned that what happened in Torre Pacheco, a town with around 40,000 residents—30 percent of whom are of foreign origin—was not spontaneous, but part of a deliberate strategy by far-right groups.
Guevara stated that extremist groups used the incident as an excuse to stir unrest and create division. “They wait for the slightest incident to light the flame and create these sorts of conflicts,” she said, adding that this tactic “did not end in Torre Pacheco,” hinting at a broader national threat.
The violence intensified between July 11 and 13, with several arrests made during those days. Following the attack, social media was flooded with hate speech, including calls to “hunt down Moroccans.” Spanish media, citing the Observatory Against Racism and Xenophobia, reported that between July 6 and 12, more than 138,000 anti-migrant messages were shared online. Shockingly, only 22% of those posts were removed, showing how fast misinformation can spread.
Authorities also revealed that the video believed to have triggered the riots was fake. According to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the footage did not show the actual assault from July 9, and even the victim himself confirmed he was not the person in the video. The minister accused far-right political parties, particularly Vox, of spreading misleading information that connects irregular immigration with criminal acts.
Grande-Marlaska said such claims are harmful and unfounded. He directly criticized Vox and leaders who echo similar narratives, saying they bear responsibility for the chaos. In response, Vox party leader Santiago Abascal denied all accusations, insisting his party had no role in the violence or misinformation.
Spanish police are also pursuing the individuals behind the initial attack on the elderly man. There are currently three suspects—one alleged attacker and two accomplices. None of them are originally from Torre Pacheco, further complicating the case.
As investigations continue, the Spanish government is also meeting with regional leaders to discuss the relocation of migrant minors and how to better manage tensions related to immigration. The situation in Torre Pacheco has become a stark warning about the dangerous impact of online hate and extremist manipulation in local communities.