Eight people, including a photojournalist, were injured after police intervened at a mass protest against tourist overcrowding in Palma. Political leaders and organizers demand accountability for the forceful response. Calls for resignations intensify.
Controversy has erupted in Mallorca after a police intervention at a major demonstration against tourist overcrowding in Palma left eight people injured, among them a working photojournalist. The incident, which unfolded at the end of a peaceful march on Sunday, has triggered sharp criticism of the police response and led to mounting calls for the resignation of the Government Delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez.
According to the National Police, officers acted in response to what they described as a group of around 200 “aggressive and violent” individuals who allegedly attacked a pair of tourists and threw objects such as sticks, stones, screws, and cans at police. The force maintains that the intervention was necessary to restore order, but organizers and several political parties have condemned the actions as excessive and unjustified.
The demonstration, organized by Menys Turisme, Més Vida and supported by Més per Mallorca and Podemos, had proceeded calmly until its final stage. Tensions escalated when police closed access to the Ses Voltes park, the planned endpoint for the rally, before it reached capacity. Organizers say they were informed only two days prior that a maximum of 2,000 people would be allowed into the park, with no alternative venue offered. After the city council declined a last-minute change of location, the march concluded as scheduled, but the police cordon led to confrontations as participants tried to enter the park.
With access blocked, organizers moved the reading of their manifesto to the nearby Parc de la Mar, where the crowd was densest. They allege that, after the manifesto and scheduled performances ended, police began baton charges without warning or medical teams on standby. Injured demonstrators, including the photojournalist, reportedly waited over 45 minutes for medical attention, relying on bystanders with medical training. Police sources confirm that five officers were also hurt and that officers fired three warning shots into the air during the clashes.
Government Delegate Alfonso Rodríguez has called the images circulating on social media “unacceptable” and promised a thorough investigation. He announced plans to meet with the regional police chief, José Antonio Puebla, to review the events and determine responsibility. Meanwhile, Més per Mallorca, Podemos, and the protest organizers have all demanded Rodríguez’s immediate resignation, citing his role in authorizing the police operation. The controversy follows a recent incident in which two activists were detained and handcuffed by the Guardia Civil for vandalizing real estate offices, further fueling criticism of the government’s handling of protests.
Balearic Islands President Marga Prohens described the footage of the police-protester confrontation as “shocking” and called for explanations from both the Government Delegate and relevant state officials. The Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez, labeled the scenes “shameful” and urged a full investigation into the police conduct and any resulting injuries.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions over tourism’s impact on Mallorca, with local authorities and residents increasingly vocal about the strain on infrastructure and public spaces. The debate over how to balance economic benefits with quality of life has intensified, especially as the region faces record visitor numbers. In a related development, recent emergencies elsewhere in Spain, such as the mass evacuation in Castellón due to wildfires, have also tested the capacity of local authorities to manage large-scale public safety challenges. For more on how Spanish regions are handling crisis situations, see the report on the recent wildfire evacuations in Castellón.
As investigations proceed, the outcome may influence future protocols for managing large demonstrations in tourist hotspots. The incident has underscored the growing friction between residents, authorities, and the tourism sector in the Balearic Islands, highlighting the urgent need for clear guidelines and transparent communication in handling public dissent.
