Explosion reported at 3 AM
The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police force, are investigating a suspected explosive device after an ATM was blown open in the Sants neighbourhood of Barcelona in the early hours of Monday, 14 September 2026. The incident occurred at the junction of Riera d'Escuder and the N-340 highway, according to police sources. Emergency services were alerted at approximately 3 AM after residents reported a loud explosion. No injuries have been recorded, but the area was cordoned off as forensic officers and TEDAX bomb disposal units arrived on site.
Residents questioned, investigation ongoing
Local residents told Metrópoli that officers from both the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Guàrdia Urbana (Barcelona’s municipal police) visited nearby homes, asking if anyone had witnessed suspicious activity before the blast. One resident said:
After the explosion, things started falling to the ground. Everyone came out into the street to see what had happened.
The investigation remains open, with authorities working to determine whether this was a targeted robbery attempt using explosives. The Mossos d'Esquadra Commissariat for Sants-Montjuïc, located on Carrer d'Ulldecona, is leading the local response.
Pattern of similar incidents in region
This incident follows a series of previous cases in the Barcelona area involving explosive devices used to breach ATMs or bank premises, including robberies on Balmes Street and in nearby Sant Boi, as reported by Crónica Global and Metrópoli in 2022. The Catalan police have previously warned of organised groups using such methods, and have increased preventive patrols in recent years under antiterrorist and public order initiatives.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Dep. Interior Generalitat Catalunya. Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, 3CatInfo, ACN, elpais.com, El Periódico, ara.cat, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, beteve.cat, Guillem RS, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.
