The planned appearance by agitator Vito Quiles near the University of Deusto in Bilbao was cancelled on 26 October, about 30 minutes before its scheduled 19:00 start. The Ertzaintza had warned that the risk of incidents was “very high,” and Quiles announced the cancellation after consulting police. The university had separately suspended activity on its Bilbao campus from the afternoon as a precaution.
Student and antifascist mobilisations drew roughly 2,000 people, with a further gathering of about 500 near the university. Organisers framed their protest as opposition to what they called “fascist provocateurs.” After the event was cancelled, groups dispersed into nearby streets. Cars and containers were set alight, while commercial premises came under attack. Reports identified at least six cars burned on Avenida Lehendakari Agirre.
The Ertzaintza detained 19 people and investigated three others. EFE reported that seven detainees were minors, three were 18 and one was 19; the other detainees were still being identified. The three people under investigation included a 17-year-old and two 22-year-olds. Basque Interior Minister Bingen Zupiria said around 20 people had been arrested during the evening, many of them minors. Lehendakari Imanol Pradales said authorities would detain anyone responsible for an incident, whether a disturbance or a fire.
Bilbao has also seen reported vehicle fires during earlier unrest, including an earlier Deusto incident. The October 26 disturbances were a separate episode, following the cancelled Quiles appearance and the subsequent protest.
