Violence erupts in Spain after migrants attacked elderly man (VIDEO)

The incident adds to mounting tensions over immigration and security concerns in the EU state 

Fierce scuffles broke out among local residents, far-right groups, and North African migrants in the southeastern Spanish town of Torre-Pacheco late on Saturday. The unrest erupted following an attack earlier in the week on an elderly man allegedly carried out by a Moroccan native.

Footage circulating online shows groups of loudly shouting men confronting each other in the town streets, with some throwing stones and bottles. Riot police and Civil Guard units intervened to prevent the violence from escalating further, as seen in several clips. 

One video shows two groups of men hurling a chair apparently taken from a nearby café at each other. Another clip shows a man sitting in a car and trying to negotiate while being attacked with stones by several young men speaking Arabic.

A local government official told Reuters that at least five people were injured during the clashes and one person was arrested. The authorities have announced that further arrests related to the violence and incitement of hatred are expected in the coming days. Despite the weekend violence, the town was largely calm by Sunday. The authorities also said they are opening an investigation into the incidents, emphasizing that they firmly oppose all forms of racial violence.

The savage assault on an elderly man in Torre-Pacheco by Moroccan migrants was the final straw for Spaniards in the region.

Europe is at boiling point. https://t.co/DhDJ98OVat pic.twitter.com/mD0WvYTLO8

— Tommy Robinson