On a weekday evening in Canals, a Valencia region town of roughly 13,000 residents located about 60 kilometers from the regional capital, a violent confrontation disrupted the calm streets. The incident unfolded in the urban center along Avenida Vicente Ferri around 20:00 as a dispute among about twenty people spiraled into a large melee. Witnesses described a scene filled with shouting and a rapidly tightening circle as the fight escalated from verbal exchanges to physical aggression. Emergency authorities later confirmed seven people were wounded by blades or blunt force during the clash, with one in a grave condition. Local responders moved swiftly to provide medical care and secure the area, while authorities began identifying those involved and assessing possible motives. Nine individuals were subsequently identified, and two were detained by the Guardia Civil as part of the ongoing investigation. The episode unsettled Canals and prompted reflections on public safety and the responsibilities of local authorities to maintain order within a town that usually enjoys peaceful evenings and close-knit neighborhoods.
Weapons reported during the confrontation included knives, broken chair fragments, pieces of furniture, and wooden planks, which intensified the violence and confusion in the street. In witness-supplied accounts and circulating footage, several assailants pursued a young man in the middle of the avenue, bringing him down and delivering repeated blows that left him unconscious. The intensity of the attack shocked those nearby and contrasted sharply with the town’s everyday routine. As the night progressed, the image of the brawl circulated widely, stirring concern among residents about personal safety and the potential for further trouble in the town center. Authorities and residents alike were left wondering how such an episode could erupt in a community known for its tight social fabric.
The response from emergency services included a Primary Care team, a conventional ambulance, and a specialized rapid-response unit to provide triage, first aid, and rapid transport where needed. The incident concluded with seven injuries stemming from stabbing or contusion, and one person receiving urgent hospital care in Xàtiva. Ninety-nine individuals were identified by authorities, with two of them detained by the Guardia Civil as investigations continued into the sequence of events and the roles of those involved. The Centro de Información y Coordinación de Urgencias, CICU, coordinated the response to ensure medical resources reached the scene promptly and that follow-up assessments were conducted to determine what happened and who was involved. Local authorities underscored the ongoing nature of the inquiry and urged residents to cooperate, while signaling that patrols and increased vigilance would continue as the investigation proceeds to reassure the community and deter further incidents.