Spain's state television reported on Sunday that violent riots and clashes erupted between groups of local residents and migrant workers in the southeastern part of the country, amid growing concerns over escalating tensions in the coming days.

The report stated that the town of Torre Pacheco in the Murcia region witnessed arson attacks on dumpsters and vandalism of shopfronts overnight, as stone-throwing clashes broke out between townspeople and migrants—most of whom work in the agricultural sector.

According to local accounts, the violence began after an elderly man was allegedly assaulted by migrants. This incident prompted around 500 people to stage a protest march on Saturday condemning the attack, which later devolved into violent confrontations between the two groups.

The report noted that the migrants primarily come from several African countries and work seasonal harvesting and farming jobs without formal contracts, forcing them to live in overcrowded housing in neighborhoods lacking basic services.

In an effort to restore order, the Civil Guard deployed reinforcements to the town, including rapid intervention units. One person was later arrested for assaulting security personnel during the clashes.

In response to the unrest, Torre Pacheco's municipal council announced plans to hold emergency meetings in the coming days with representatives from farming associations, agricultural employers, and migrant communities to address issues of informal housing and strengthen oversight of labor contracts.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations in Murcia stressed the need for balanced solutions that consider the economic and social dimensions of the crisis. They warned that "the region's continued reliance on unregulated migrant labor will only fuel further tensions in the future."

Murcia is one of Spain's most important agricultural regions, supplying a significant portion of Europe's fruit and vegetable imports. The sector heavily depends on seasonal labor, particularly during peak harvesting seasons in spring and summer.

Official data indicates over 100,000 registered migrant workers in Murcia's agricultural sector, though unofficial estimates suggest many more work illegally.

Torre Pacheco, with a population of around 35,000, reportedly has between 30-40% foreign workers—mostly employed in farming—according to non-governmental estimates.