Last night in Cartagena, at least five people were taken into custody as a violent clash erupted in the city center. Police sources explain that the altercation apparently began after a loud party or gathering continued despite a warning to lower the music. The warning was issued, tensions rose quickly, and what started as a noise complaint escalated into a full-on confrontation.
As police arrived, those present reacted with aggression. Shouts filled the air, punches were thrown, and run-down alleys and streets became a scene of chaos. Video footage captured by neighbors and bystanders shows officers on the ground, patrol cars being targeted, and individuals trying to breach lines of containment in the Nueva Cartagena district, particularly in the area known as the red circles.
Local and national police units were dispatched to the scene in response to the disturbance. Several officers reported being struck by thrown objects, with eyewitness accounts noting impacts that even hit their protective vests. The encounter also involved bites and direct assaults on officers who were attempting to regain order. The episode concluded with multiple injuries to officers, though none were reported as life-threatening from the moment of reporting.
Residents of Nueva Cartagena describe the neighborhood as generally calm, though the designated red-circle area in Urbanización Mediterráneo has been cited as a hotspot for trouble on occasion. Authorities have stated that they are expanding their search for additional participants in the violence, with some individuals reportedly attempting to set fire to cooking pots and obstruct police operations. Witnesses noted that several attackers targeted an officer wearing a helmet, and rapid container fires created alarm among those nearby. Investigators identified the Mediterranean Urbanization as a focal point of the disturbances during the initial stages of the incident.
Emergency responders were mobilized to manage the aftermath, including seven container fires that broke out at different locations in the city late in the evening. The response involved coordinated efforts from firefighters and police units, supported by the local emergency communications network. The situation drew a large volume of calls and resulted in property damage across affected zones. A formal note of the response and actions taken was released by the respective emergency services and law enforcement agencies, attributing the events to a coordinated dissemination of violence across multiple points in the city. (Citation: 112 Region of Murcia, June 21, 2022)
Authorities indicated that reinforcements were necessary from surrounding counties to support the Cartagena Police due to resource limitations and to ensure public safety in the area. Of the individuals arrested, one remained in police custody on Tuesday, while others were processed and released sooner or later, including some minors who were involved in the disturbances. The investigation continues to identify additional participants and to assess the full scope of the incident and its causes.