Barcelona shanty settlement clearance operations have commenced at Bac de Roda following a dangerous fire that injured two residents.
The emergency evacuation began at 8am on Wednesday morning after firefighters identified “very serious” fire risks throughout the makeshift community living beneath the Calatrava bridge.
Authorities confirmed 30 adults and four children were removed from the settlement, with 28 individuals immediately requesting assistance from social services.
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The operation involved Barcelona’s Urban Guard, Mossos d’Esquadra police, and social emergency teams who provided immediate housing support.
Barcelona Shanty Settlement Clearance Follows Safety Concerns
Safety Commissioner Albert Batlle emphasised the evacuation was necessary to prevent further tragedies. “We cannot wait for another fire, perhaps more serious, to occur,” he stated during a press conference. Technical reports from Barcelona Firefighters highlighted extreme dangers from irregular electrical connections and the settlement’s proximity to railway lines.
The makeshift structures, constructed from combustible materials like wood, combined with residents’ use of small gas canisters, created what officials described as an imminent fire trap. Consequently, the municipal government deemed urgent action essential to protect residents’ safety.
Social Services Commissioner Sonia Fuertes detailed the support plan for displaced individuals. “Those evacuated will spend their first night in emergency housing services before moving to temporary resources after individual case assessments,” she explained. Furthermore, many residents were already known to social services and will receive ongoing support.
The four minors located in the settlement were confirmed to be regularly attending school and receiving paediatric care. Additionally, social services will maintain close monitoring of all families affected by the clearance operation.
This latest incident highlights Barcelona’s ongoing struggle with informal settlements, particularly as homelessness spending reaches record levels across the city. Meanwhile, community organisations have questioned whether evacuations provide genuine solutions rather than simply displacing vulnerable populations to other locations.
David Espinós, director of homeless support organisation Amics del Quart Món, criticised the approach during a TV3 interview. He argued that administrations fail to provide real responses to evicted individuals, meaning police operations merely transfer problems from one location to another.
The Bac de Roda clearance represents one of several similar situations the council has pledged to address. According to recent political debates, housing policy remains a contentious issue in Barcelona’s governance. Batlle confirmed the administration stands ready to “act decisively” if similar risks emerge elsewhere, indicating further Barcelona shanty settlement clearance operations may follow.
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