A homeless man rested on the pavement near Drassanes Street in Barcelona when an assault unfolded that left him with facial burns. Authorities say he was targeted with a flammable liquid during an attack that is now being treated as an attempted murder by Mossos d’Esquadra, the regional police. The incident is under formal investigation as officers work to identify and apprehend the person or people responsible. The case has prompted swift comments from local security officials, who directed the public’s attention to the broader issue of street violence and the safety of vulnerable residents in the city’s urban cores.
The Barcelona City Council reported the situation through its security leadership, noting that the victim, a man experiencing homelessness, received immediate medical attention after the attack. Medical personnel confirmed that while the injuries were serious, the man’s life was not in danger at the time of treatment. The incident is being treated as a serious assault with potential lethal intent, and investigators are examining all available clues, including any surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensics from the scene to construct a timeline and determine motive.
Mossos d’Esquadra has confirmed a formal inquiry into the assault, aiming to locate the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for the attack. The police are pursuing various leads and have called on the public for any information that could help identify the suspect. The investigation underscores the city’s commitment to safeguarding residents and ensuring rapid response protocols for emergencies in high-traffic areas where vulnerable populations may be exposed to danger.
In a related update, city officials condemned the violence that affected the homeless man as well as a separate case in which a 41-year-old man was stabbed to death on Lleida Street the previous night. The authorities reported that two escapees were involved in that fatal stabbing, which has further intensified the call for enhanced public safety measures and more robust coordination among law enforcement agencies, social services, and community organizations to prevent such tragedies in the future.