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| 15 Fans Injured After Car Drives Into Crowd Before Espanyol vs Barcelona Match. |
A serious incident occurred ahead of the Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona on Thursday night, when a car drove into a crowd of fans outside RCDE Stadium, injuring 15 people.
More than 34,000 spectators were present at the stadium for the high-stakes La Liga clash. Although Barcelona secured a 2–0 victory to confirm their league title, the celebration was overshadowed by the events that unfolded just minutes after kickoff.
According to Eduard Sallent, commissioner of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), the incident happened when a car, which had stopped on a public road, became surrounded by fans heading toward the stadium. For reasons still under investigation, the driver suddenly accelerated, striking people in front of the vehicle.
Sallent clarified that the driver was not speeding but was attempting to move the car out of the crowd when the vehicle hit several individuals.
The collision occurred around 9:02 p.m. local time, approximately two minutes into the match. Shortly after the incident, the Catalan Health Department announced that 13 people were affected—four in moderate condition who were hospitalized, and three children were taken to Sant Joan de Déu Hospital with minor injuries.
Updated reports later confirmed that the number of injured had risen to 15. The driver was arrested at the scene.
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| 15 Fans Injured After Car Drives Into Crowd Before Espanyol vs Barcelona Match. |
Authorities conducted tests on the driver and confirmed that there was no alcohol or drug involvement. The individual stated that they felt overwhelmed and intimidated by the crowd, which prompted their reaction.
The match was paused for over two minutes while referee Cesar Soto Grado consulted with police, team staff, and players. Although large sections of the stadium were left empty as some fans protested the continuation of the match, law enforcement concluded that there was no direct threat to the safety of the event, allowing the game to continue.
This incident highlights the importance of crowd control and safety protocols during high-attendance sporting events.
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