The Christmas lights did not go as planned for everyone. In Puerta del Sol, after the opening ceremony for the season, a violent clash broke out among a group of young people wielding machetes, leading to six arrests, including three minors. Authorities described a tense night as celebrations continued around the central square and nearby streets.
Madrid’s Municipal Police have been visibly increasing their presence in the city center since Thursday, deploying a special operations device to oversee the celebrations. Officers were required to intervene from around 22:00 whenever night crowds began to gather and tensions rose. The heightened security aims to prevent disorder and ensure public safety in a busy holiday period, according to police statements cited by national outlets.
A 20-year-old man sustained a serious injury to his left arm, apparently from a knife. He was attended to by Samur Civil Protection volunteers who applied a tourniquet before he was transported by medical personnel to San Carlos Clinical Hospital. Medical officials reported the prognosis as mild, and the incident was logged as part of the broader security operation in the capital for the festive season, as confirmed by Madrid emergency services. [EFE]
Open investigation
The investigation into the incident remains active, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. While the exact reasons for the brawl have not been established, police sources told EFE that one leading hypothesis is a possible feud between members of local youth groups or gangs. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and timelines to determine how the confrontation unfolded and who was directly involved.
Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida was responsible for activating the capital’s Christmas lights on Thursday night in front of an audience estimated at about 12,000 people. He noted that the crowd filled Puerta del Sol and surrounding streets, underscoring the scale of the event and the challenge of maintaining order during peak hours of celebration. When the crowd dispersed, the incident escalated into a confrontation between two groups of just over a dozen teenagers on each side, resulting in six arrests, three of whom were minors. Authorities report that both sides blame the other for provoking the clash, and police are pursuing lines of inquiry to understand the sequence of events and any potential escalation factors.
As the investigation proceeds, officials emphasize that security measures will remain in effect to safeguard attendees and residents. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by city authorities to balance festive public events with the need to deter violence and protect participants in a major urban celebration. [EFE]