Barcelona assesses damage after violent clashes follow largely peaceful general strike

Barcelona is recovering after violent clashes broke out in the city centre late on Wednesday following a general strike that was otherwise marked by largely peaceful demonstrations across Catalonia.

Catalonia's Mossos d'Esquadra police arrested 52 people, including six minors, and reported that 36 officers were injured.

Police attributed the unrest to radical anti-establishment groups seeking to "create chaos and fear," according to the force's chief commissioner, Sílvia Catà.

Organisers put attendance at Barcelona's main demonstration at 400,000, while Mossos chief commissioner Sílvia Catà said around 57,000 people were gathered in the Catalan capital.

Three columns of demonstrators had initially marched peacefully, but violence erupted at around 7pm, after organisers called off the official protest, with incidents concentrated around Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça Universitat, Plaça d'Urquinaona and Passeig de Gràcia.

Catà said police seized petrol bombs, high-powered fireworks, improvised explosive devices known as "MacGyvers" and balaclavas.

Two minors were arrested carrying petrol bombs.

Explosive devices were also found inside damaged Apple and H&M stores.

The arrests included one minor and one adult previously detained during disturbances on October 24 linked to the Blocus movement.

Police said the remaining suspects had no connection to the group. Those arrested face allegations including assault, attacks on police officers, public disorder and burglary.

Catalan president Salvador Illa blamed the violence on anarchist and radical anti-establishment groups that infiltrate demonstrations to commit criminal acts.

He promised a firm response, saying: "We will identify every single one of them and bring them before the courts." 

Interior minister Núria Parlon defended the police operation, arguing that officers had acted "with restraint" because many peaceful demonstrators were still in the area.

She described those responsible as "a handful of hooligans" and said their actions had no place in a democratic society.

Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni rejected suggestions that police had been overwhelmed, saying officers had to exercise caution with more than 50,000 people on the streets.

He described those responsible as small, identifiable groups and said some of those arrested had travelled from outside the city.

Damage to businesses

Around 10 commercial premises, mainly belonging to retail chains, were damaged.

Shops including Apple, Geox, Desigual, Stradivarius, Lefties and H&M, as well as Santander bank branches, suffered damage to their windows and entrances.

Cleaning crews worked through the night, clearing up around 80% of the affected area by Thursday morning.

Collboni said the economic losses had yet to be assessed, although Passeig de Gràcia had been "badly affected."

The city council will join the proceedings as a private prosecutor in cases involving damage to public property.

Demonstrations elsewhere in Catalonia were largely peaceful.

Girona saw around 20,000 people take part, while other sizeable gatherings were held in Terrassa, Manresa, Tarragona, Reus and Lleida, among other towns and cities.