Spanish police arrested at least 128 people following violent unrest in central Barcelona on Saturday, with more than half of those detained being minors, public broadcaster RTVE reported on Sunday.
The disturbances left 14 regional police officers injured, including four seriously, while a municipal police officer was also hurt.
Authorities confirmed that 72 of those arrested were under the age of 18, while approximately 450 people were identified during police operations to contain the violence.
The unrest broke out near Plaça Catalunya after approximately 500 young people gathered for a demonstration promoted through social media.
The protest had been organised by an anonymous online platform calling for demonstrations in major Spanish cities to demand improvements in educational conditions.
Organisers reportedly used TikTok and messaging applications, including Telegram and WhatsApp, to circulate calls for participation.
However, the gathering rapidly escalated into disorder as groups of participants began damaging property and confronting police.
According to authorities, rioters set fire to 31 rubbish containers, erected makeshift barricades and hurled objects at riot police attempting to restore order.
At least 23 businesses were vandalised or looted, while vehicles and public infrastructure also sustained damage.
Barcelona City Council estimated that damage to public street furniture alone would cost at least €36,000 ($40,330).
Emergency services received approximately 450 calls relating to the disturbances, while firefighters attended 33 incidents involving fires in public spaces.
Police also issued 68 administrative reports after confiscating various items, including bladed weapons, sprays, balaclavas and pyrotechnic devices.
Silvia Cata, chief commissioner of Catalonia’s regional police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, said officers had been taken aback by the “extreme violence” displayed during the unrest.
She described those involved as largely disorganised groups of very young individuals who moved in smaller clusters while carrying out vandalism and looting.
Cata revealed that some participants were younger than 14, placing them below Spain’s minimum age of criminal responsibility.
The police commissioner said authorities were examining how calls for demonstrations had spread across social media and were working with other European law enforcement agencies to identify those involved in organising and promoting the gatherings.
Investigations into the violence and the circumstances surrounding the unrest remain ongoing.