Lorraine Williamson
A car struck at least 16 people outside the RCDE Espanyol Stadium in Cornellà (Barcelona) on Thursday evening, just before the La Liga derby between Espanyol and FC Barcelona. According to emergency services, one man remains in intensive care with a broken femur. Four others are still hospitalised and the driver has been detained.
The incident caused panic outside the stadium. While initial fears raised concerns about intentional harm, Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra) have ruled out any terror-related motive. After a brief stoppage, the match went ahead as planned.
Emergency services respond quickly
Catalonia’s Emergency Medical Services (SEM) deployed 11 units to the scene. Thirteen of the injured were taken to hospitals in the area, including Moisès Broggi, Bellvitge, Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi, and L’Hospitalet.
Three others were treated at the scene. Most of the injuries are considered minor, though the man in intensive care has been classified as a serious case under legal criteria due to his broken leg.
Police detain driver, and rule out drugs or alcohol
The driver, a 34-year-old woman in a white vehicle, was detained at the scene. Police confirmed she tested negative for both alcohol and drugs. Mossos d’Esquadra have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the incident.
Eduard Sallent, regional chief of the Mossos, stated that the woman accelerated suddenly after her car became surrounded by fans. Some reportedly threw objects at the vehicle, possibly damaging it and triggering her reaction.
Officers intervene to protect driver
Police were seen preventing fans from approaching the car following the incident. The municipality of Sallent defended the officers’ actions, stating they were attempting to protect the driver as tensions escalated.
The commissioner described the event as a “fortuitous act” within a crowded area. “There is no evidence of criminal intent or terrorism,” he said. Officers will formally question the woman to establish her version of events.
The incident was caught on social media. The following link was posted by @fuengirolasequeja on Instagram.
Match continued despite calls for suspension
Despite calls from some fans outside the stadium, the derby was not suspended. Police said the situation was under control, and there were no grave risks to spectators inside.
Shortly after kick-off, the match was briefly paused. Fans inside were informed via the stadium’s loudspeakers that an incident had occurred outside. The match resumed minutes later, and Barcelona went on to win 0–2, securing the league title.
Reactions from officials and witnesses
Among the injured was the son of Badalona’s mayor, Xavier García Albiol, who later confirmed his child had only suffered a foot sprain.
According to El Periódico, some fans had gathered to greet the Espanyol team bus when the car appeared. Hemmed in between containers, the vehicle may have panicked the driver, leading her to accelerate into the crowd.
Seven ambulances were seen at the site, and clean-up crews later removed debris from the area. No further incidents were reported following the match.
Fatal crash in Fuengirola
Sources: El Periodico | Marca