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Viral 'Therians' Meetup in Barcelona Descends Into Disorder as Police Tactics Face Scrutiny

Authorities are probing possible outside instigation after a missed risk assessment.

Overview

  • Roughly 3,000 people gathered near the Arc de Triomf after a social‑media call, with crowds composed largely of curious onlookers rather than core participants.
  • By around 21:00 local time the scene turned chaotic, with objects thrown at officers, burning bins, and damage to street furniture, though no serious injuries were reported.
  • The Guardia Urbana initially handled the operation on site, while the Mossos d'Esquadra later deployed anti‑riot units and led the dispersal of the crowd.
  • Police accounts diverge over coordination decisions, with Mossos criticizing a local evacuation order and the city force citing a required intervention in an underground parking area.
  • Arrest totals differ across reports, with four to five people detained and several minors among them, as investigators assess whether unaffiliated groups deliberately stoked the unrest.