150,000 euro cost to replace burnt containers
Municipal services in Barcelona have begun replacing 110 waste containers destroyed during riots following Wednesday 11th November's general strike, with the estimated cost of the damage set at approximately €150,000. The Barcelona City Council confirmed that the replacement operation is underway and expects to complete it by Sunday 15th November. The clean-up follows violent incidents after the demonstration, which saw barricades erected, urban furniture damaged and widespread burning of street bins. The most affected areas included the surroundings of Plaça de Catalunya (Catalonia Square), Carrer Pelai, and sections of Passeig de Gràcia, all now restored to normal.
2,898 workers deployed overnight
From Wednesday night through Thursday 12th November, a total of 1,840 cleaning teams and 2,898 workers from the city’s waste collection and cleaning service were mobilised to restore order. Their tasks included removing burnt debris, clearing pavements, repairing traffic lights and planters, and intensifying street cleaning, particularly around waste collection points. Despite heavy rain, workers operated continuously to empty accumulated waste from the strike day and clean affected zones. The Barcelona Fire Service also responded to 42 incidents, primarily involving the burning of containers and bicycles, deploying around 100 firefighters.
The priority has been to empty containers and clean their surroundings.
The city’s Guàrdia Urbana (municipal police) deployed approximately 300 officers as part of the security and recovery operation. As a preventive measure, nearly 100 additional containers were removed and about 40 Bicing bike-sharing stations were temporarily closed.
City to pursue legal claims for damages
Mayor Jaume Collboni has announced that the City Council will formally join any judicial proceedings arising from the disturbances. The move aims to seek compensation for damage to public property and to support affected traders, following damage to around ten private businesses.
“A Barcelona, qui la fa la paga,” Mayor Jaume Collboni said, meaning “in Barcelona, you pay for what you do.”
The mayor condemned the actions of a minority of violent groups that disrupted what he described as an otherwise historic and largely peaceful day of participation. Police arrested 52 people during the events, six of whom were under 18 years old.
Sources: Metrópoli Abierta (CA), Ajuntament de Barcelona, diaricatalunya.cat, catalunyapress.es.
