What was meant to be a moment of celebration quickly turned into panic and chaos on Thursday evening outside RCDE Stadium in Spain, as a car drove into a large crowd of Espanyol fans, injuring more than a dozen people during Barcelona’s La Liga title-clinching match.
The shocking incident occurred as hundreds of Espanyol supporters gathered outside the stadium, awaiting the team’s arrival. Video footage captured the terrifying moment a white sedan accelerated through the crowd, sending people scrambling in all directions.
Incident Details: A Joyous Night Turns Chaotic
According to local authorities, the crowd had assembled to welcome the Espanyol team bus ahead of the match against rivals Barcelona, a highly anticipated La Liga fixture. Barcelona needed a win to secure the Spanish league title—and they did, but the attention quickly turned from football to fear.
Eyewitnesses say the incident began when the car, driven by a man between the ages of 45 and 55, struck a young girl in the crowd. In response, outraged fans began throwing objects at the car, reportedly shattering the vehicle’s rear window.
In what police are investigating as either a panic reaction or a possible act of aggression, the driver then accelerated into the dense crowd, running over several people and leaving many others injured.
Driver Detained, Investigation Underway
Local law enforcement confirmed that the driver was immediately detained and is now under investigation. Officials are still working to determine whether the second impact—after the initial contact with the girl—was accidental or intentional.
As of the latest reports, no fatalities have been recorded, but more than a dozen people were injured, some seriously. Emergency responders treated multiple victims at the scene before transporting them to local hospitals.
Inside the Stadium: Fans Reassured
Despite the chaos unfolding just outside the venue, those inside the stadium were quickly informed that the situation was under control. Announcements were made over the PA system to reassure fans that the incident was being handled and there was no immediate threat within the stadium.
Barcelona went on to defeat Espanyol in a commanding performance, securing the 2025 La Liga title. However, the celebrations were understandably overshadowed by the frightening events outside the stadium walls.
Legal Consequences Likely
Authorities have yet to confirm whether the driver will face formal charges. For now, police are treating the situation with the utmost seriousness, given the number of injuries and the potential for loss of life.
Further investigations are underway, including reviewing security footage, interviewing eyewitnesses, and conducting medical evaluations of the injured.
Rivalry and Tension in Catalonia Football
The rivalry between Barcelona and Espanyol is one of the most intense in Spanish football. Known as the Catalan Derby, emotions often run high during these matches. While this particular confrontation appears to have been caused by a panicked driver rather than direct fan violence, the volatile environment around such matches continues to raise safety concerns.
Public Reaction and Safety Concerns
Clips of the incident have already gone viral online, sparking outrage and concern among football fans worldwide. Many are calling on La Liga officials and Spanish authorities to review crowd control and security protocols outside stadiums, especially during high-stakes fixtures.
Football fan associations and safety advocates have also issued statements urging stadium officials and law enforcement to take additional precautions in future matches.
What We Know So Far:
- Incident occurred Thursday night outside RCDE Stadium in Spain.
- A white sedan struck a child, triggering crowd outrage.
- The driver then accelerated through the crowd, injuring over a dozen people.
- No deaths reported as of now.
- The driver is in police custody.
- Authorities are investigating whether the second collision was intentional.
Stay with us for continuing updates on this developing story.
