National Police officers were forced to forcefully disperse nearly 150 youths, some of whom were minors, early Monday after a confrontation at the Hogueras celebrations in Alicante. A group had attempted to enter a fairground booth by force, clashing with security staff and even trying to pull down barriers that protected the entrance, according to the Alicante Police Station.
The police were alerted around 01:30 by the private security team guarding the booth. The report described a large number of young people, including minors, who were attempting to gain access without paying the admission fee and who confronted the guards to do so.
When National Police units arrived at the scene, they observed a crowd estimated between 100 and 150 individuals who were actively causing disturbances not only to the booth security personnel but also to pedestrians nearby. The youths attempted to force open the barriers to gain entry without paying for admission.
Security and bystanders were put at risk as the group showed strong hostility and aggression. Police officers repeatedly instructed the crowd to calm down, but the disruptive behavior persisted and the attempts to enter the booth continued, threatening the safety of people inside and outside the enclosure as well as the security staff and the officers who were trying to manage the scene.
After several efforts to pacify the situation and multiple warnings, the officers had to employ the minimum force necessary to dissolve the mob. The crowd dispersed through surrounding streets only to regroup again in an ongoing cycle of attempts to breach the booth, which ultimately proved unsuccessful.
The mass was eventually dispersed without any documented arrests. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and authorities have reported the events to the judicial authorities for any orders or additional proceedings that might be required.
Attribution: Information provided by the Alicante Police Station and corroborated by public safety officials on site during the Hogueras festival period.