Tensions remain high in Badalona following the recent eviction of hundreds of migrants from the former B9 institute building. Mayor Xavier García Albiol describes the site not simply as a temporary shelter, but as a real hub of criminal activity. According to him, mafia structures, prostitution, and drug trafficking had flourished within the walls of the abandoned facility. Those who controlled the area allegedly charged others fees for the chance to stay overnight.
More than 400 former B9 residents are now scattered across different parts of the city. So far, neither temporary nor permanent solutions have been found for them. City Hall is negotiating with the Catalonia government to at least temporarily move people off the streets, but prospects remain unclear. Albiol continues to stress that he sees no way to provide long-term housing for so many people in Badalona.
Tensions escalate
The city has seen several restless nights. Residents have taken to the streets to protest the presence of migrants, with some even trying to block humanitarian aid. At the same time, some locals are speaking out in support of the evicted group, leading to clashes between the two sides. The mayor denies fueling the escalation and insists his statements could not have provoked such a reaction. He maintains that residents are capable of making their own decisions and are not swayed by outside influence.
Despite this, tensions in the city are running high. Some demand the immediate removal of migrants from Badalona, while others insist on providing them with support and temporary accommodation. Albiol denies that the city is split into two opposing camps, although the facts suggest otherwise: conflicts between supporters and opponents of the migrants are becoming increasingly apparent.
Shelter crisis escalates
The issue of possibly reopening the municipal shelter for the homeless has returned to the spotlight. The facility was shut down by city authorities in 2024, and recently around ten migrants entered the premises. The mayor firmly rejects the idea of bringing the shelter back into operation, citing the building’s unsafe condition. According to him, the same people used to stay at the site, causing numerous problems for neighbors: thefts, threats, and other unpleasant incidents.
As a result, most of those evicted from B9 have been forced to spend the night under a bridge on the C-31 highway or seek temporary refuge in premises belonging to charities and churches. Some have found shelter in a hostel in the Sants district of Barcelona, while five have received temporary accommodation from private individuals who volunteered to help.
Storms bring new hardships
The past week has brought additional challenges for the former residents of B9. In Badalona, it rained almost every day, and on Saturday the city was threatened by heavy downpours. Up to 75 liters of rain per square meter fell in 24 hours, making the situation even worse for those left homeless.
While authorities search for solutions, the fate of hundreds of migrants remains uncertain. The city is facing not only a social but also a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent and effective action.
