The Mossos d’Esquadra are investigating a stabbing at a contentious homeless settlement located beneath the C-31 motorway bridge in Badalona. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening; officers identified and released the alleged attacker after the victim declined to press charges.

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Emergency services responded to the encampment on Avenida Alfons XII at approximately 8:00 PM on 18 February 2026. Upon arrival, officers from the Catalan police force found a man lying on the ground with what sources described to Metrópoli as a “large wound to the back.”

Medical teams from the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) attended to the victim at the scene before transferring him to a local health centre. Officials confirmed his injuries are not life-threatening, and he is now out of danger.

Investigation Open Despite No Charges

According to police sources cited by El Periódico, police took a suspect in the stabbing to a police station for identification. However, since neither the victim nor any witnesses present were willing to file a formal complaint, authorities could not formalise an arrest. They subsequently released the individual.

Despite the lack of a formal complaint, the Mossos d’Esquadra have confirmed they are maintaining an open investigation to fully clarify the assault’s circumstances. This incident highlights the ongoing safety and social challenges associated with the settlement.

A Lingering Issue for Badalona

The encampment under the C-31 bridge has remained a point of friction for the municipality, even after the regional government, the Generalitat de Catalunya, announced the conclusion of a major rehousing operation on 28 January 2026. The Generalitat aimed to relocate individuals who had previously lived in the much larger informal settlement at the former B9 institute, which was evicted in December 2025.

Earlier this week, Badalona’s mayor, Xavier Garcia Albiol, stated that around fifteen people continue to live under the bridge. He asserted, however, that the Generalitat informed him these individuals were unrelated to the former B9 settlement.

The municipal government is actively seeking to clear the remaining camp. The Ajuntament de Badalona has initiated legal proceedings and requested permission from the Generalitat for a definitive eviction. However, jurisdiction complicates the process, as the highway authority, which falls under the regional government’s purview, owns the land.

Eviction Efforts and a City Without Shelter

The situation under the C-31 bridge underscores a broader crisis of homelessness in Badalona. Local reports document the city’s rising homeless population, yet it currently lacks a dedicated municipal shelter. This puts further strain on social services and creates persistent visibility of informal encampments.

The B9 camp’s eviction significantly displaced hundreds, and many have since struggled to find stable housing. The continued presence of a smaller group under the motorway bridge remains a delicate issue, balancing humanitarian concerns with public safety and the administration’s goal of clearing the site.

Primary source: El Periódico Barcelona.