13 injured as car crashes into crowd at Espanyol-Barcelona match
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Car crashes into fans outside Espanyol-Barcelona derby, injuring 13 and triggering safety concerns.
Thirteen people sustained injuries when a car drove into a crowd of fans gathered outside the RCDE Stadium during the high-stakes derby match between Espanyol and Barcelona on Thursday evening. The match, which saw Barcelona clinch the La Liga title with a 2-0 win, was briefly delayed in its early stages as police informed the referee of the unfolding situation.
Authorities in Barcelona confirmed that four of the injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals. Fortunately, none of the injuries were considered life-threatening, although one person suffered a broken leg. The remaining victims were treated on-site or at local clinics for minor injuries such as bruises and abrasions.
The shocking incident unfolded just outside the stadium as Espanyol fans gathered to welcome their team’s bus. Eyewitnesses and footage circulating on social media captured the moment when the vehicle, a dark-colored car, stopped near some trash bins and was surrounded by fans. The driver then suddenly accelerated, driving straight into the dense crowd.
Emergency response teams acted swiftly, dispatching ten ambulances to the scene. Medical personnel and police worked quickly to secure the area and provide immediate care to the injured. The driver of the vehicle, whose identity has not yet been released, was arrested at the scene. He is currently being held on suspicion of dangerous driving and causing injury.
In a statement released via social media, the Barcelona Police Department reassured the public that the incident posed no danger to the crowd inside the stadium. “There was no ongoing threat to match attendees,” the statement read, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine whether the crash was accidental or deliberate.
Salvador Illa, the President of the Government of Catalonia, was present at the match and later spoke to Spanish broadcaster Movistar. He downplayed the severity of the incident but acknowledged its seriousness. “It was an accident. Some people were injured, but not seriously. There are no major incidents to report,” Illa stated.
Despite the unsettling event, the game proceeded after a brief delay, with Barcelona sealing their championship win thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski and Pedri. The celebratory mood among Barcelona fans contrasted with the anxious atmosphere just outside the stadium, where authorities remained active well into the night.
The cause of the crash remains unclear. While authorities have yet to release further details about the driver’s motives or possible intoxication, early reports suggest the incident was not premeditated. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the car suddenly surged into the crowd without warning.
Some fans criticized the security arrangements outside the stadium, questioning how a vehicle was able to get so close to such a large group of people. “There should have been more barriers,” one witness said. “It could have been much worse.”
This event adds to a growing concern about fan safety at major sporting events in Europe. With tens of thousands of people gathering regularly around stadiums, ensuring proper crowd management and vehicle control is a rising priority for local authorities and football clubs alike.
Officials have promised a full investigation into the incident. Espanyol, in a brief statement, expressed concern for the injured and said they were cooperating fully with law enforcement. Barcelona has yet to issue a statement but sources say the club is also reviewing the incident.
While the injuries were thankfully not life-threatening, the event served as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities that can exist even in heavily policed environments. With fan safety now under renewed scrutiny, authorities may be forced to tighten security protocols for future matches, especially for high-profile derbies.
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