In a troubling development for public safety in Spain, authorities have issued warnings regarding a new trend among European tourists, particularly from the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. This trend involves groups travelling to the Spanish city of Valencia to engage in the illegal activity of setting off dangerous and rigged firecrackers, a practice described as "worse than drunkenness" by Spanish publication El Conifencial.
Residents of Valencia have expressed increasing alarm at the chaotic scenes resulting from these activities, which have reportedly left them feeling terrorised. Disturbing reports have emerged from local citizens, with one stating in a message, "What the hell was that? Did you hear that explosion? It sounded like a bomb." Additional messages circulating among residents conveyed widespread concern, with one individual seeking confirmation about an explosion heard in Parque del Lebón and another noting, "It was even heard in Campanar, how scary." Such distress has been further echoed by mothers of residents fearing for their safety, with one account stating, "My mother is crying with fear; it seems like a bar exploded because of the gas."
Miguel Muñiz, a local resident whose home is situated across from one of the incident sites, recounted an alarming experience, saying, "We couldn't sleep a wink. The next morning, I went down to buy bread and saw that the entire landing was full of glass that had shattered after the explosion." He added, "The windows of the other building were the same. We were truly scared."
Councillor for Security, Jesús Carbonell, addressed the issue in a recent press conference, revealing that this year alone, around 200 individuals have been identified for illegal firecracker use, with approximately half of these individuals coming from outside Spain. Carbonell asserted, "We will not tolerate the firing of prohibited materials; the protection of our neighbors is our priority, and we will remain vigilant." He also pointed out the concerning fact that "there are agencies that plan fireworks trips and tourist packages in Valencia," suggesting that tourism firms may be inadvertently promoting such reckless behaviour.
Antonio Castro, superintendent of the Local Police of Valencia, elaborated on the issue during a programme on A Punt TV, indicating that this type of tourism seems to attract particularly visitors from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. He described it as a dangerous pursuit where tourists create their own homemade fireworks laden with gunpowder, posing a significant risk to both participants and local residents.
The situation has raised significant public safety concerns in Valencia, as local authorities strive to manage the impact of this emerging trend on the community.
Source: Noah Wire Services