What was meant to be a night of passionate football quickly turned into a horrifying spectacle outside Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. Fans who had gathered with high spirits to witness the local derby between Espanyol and Barcelona were instead met with a moment of terror when a white sedan accelerated into a crowd, injuring nearly 20 people, including three who had to be hospitalized.
The chaos that unfolded was captured in disturbing videos shared across social media, triggering widespread concern and prompting swift police intervention. The unsettling incident occurred just outside the RCDE Stadium gates, moments before the start of the match.
Reports from various media sources revealed differing accounts of how the tragedy began, but all confirmed the sheer panic and confusion that followed as the car crashed into fans. While the football match was eventually played and Barcelona went on to win the LaLiga title, the emotional toll of the pre-match incident lingered in the minds of everyone present.
The Incident: A Car, a Crowd, and Panic
Initial reports indicate that the vehicle involved was a white sedan driven by a woman estimated to be between the ages of 45 and 55. According to Catalan police and witness accounts, the car had found itself surrounded by a crowd of Espanyol supporters just before the crash. It remains unclear what led to the vehicle being encircled, but multiple sources including TMZ and ESPN suggested that the situation escalated very quickly.
TMZ reported that the driver might have accidentally hit a young girl, prompting outrage among nearby fans who began throwing objects at the car and smashing the rear window. In a matter of seconds, a tense atmosphere turned explosive, with the driver seemingly panicking amid the chaos. Reports suggest the vehicle then accelerated in an attempt to flee the crowd, driving into dozens of people standing outside the RCDE Stadium.
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Another version, reported by ESPN, claimed that the car had gotten stuck between two large containers. As it tried to maneuver out of the tight spot, supporters began hurling objects toward it. The pressure from all sides, combined with the noise and the confusion, may have contributed to the driver’s decision to hit the accelerator. Regardless of the precise cause, the outcome was the same: widespread fear, injuries, and a heavy police presence.
🇪🇸, Cornellà. Shocking events near the stadium during the Espanyol-Barça match: a car ran over fans!
— ALAFuckinBAMA (@MartinGlover71) May 17, 2025
According to preliminary information, the driver of the white Peugeot was a woman. She hit a girl, after which fans started smashing the car. The injured girl was pulled out, but… pic.twitter.com/aYJi1rnZ4C
The crash left at least 20 people impacted, with three needing hospitalization and 11 others treated for minor injuries. Videos posted online depicted fans being knocked to the ground, some clinging to the car’s hood, while others ran to help those who had fallen. The car finally came to a stop near a metal fence, and police officers in riot gear rushed to the scene to manage the situation.
Police Response and Arrest
Catalan police swiftly responded to the emergency, establishing control and securing the area. Within a short time, a woman was arrested in connection with the incident. Footage from the aftermath shows the individual in handcuffs, being restrained next to the car by police officers. As tension remained high among the crowd, riot police formed a barrier around the car to prevent further violence and to facilitate medical assistance for the injured.
Officers struggled to hold back angry fans, many of whom were visibly shaken by what they had witnessed. Some supporters continued to throw objects, not just at the car but also at the police, frustrated by the chaos that had disrupted what was meant to be a celebration of football. In one particularly graphic image, a woman is seen being helped away from the scene with blood on her face, a reminder of how quickly a festive event can turn tragic.
Despite the confusion and injuries, officials emphasized that there were no life-threatening cases. Salvador Illa, the president of the Government of Catalonia, addressed the incident during a television interview. Speaking to Movistar Plus, he stated, “It was an accident, some people were injured, but not seriously. There are no major incidents to report.” His words, however, did little to ease the shock felt by fans who had seen the mayhem unfold just meters away.
By the time order had been restored, police had cordoned off the area around the car, and emergency crews worked diligently to treat the wounded and clear the site. It was only after confirming that the situation was under control that RCDE Stadium officials allowed the match to proceed.
Football Resumes Amid Lingering Tension
Though the horror outside the RCDE Stadium threatened to overshadow the game, the LaLiga match between Barcelona and Espanyol did eventually kick off—albeit with an eight-minute delay. The players were informed of the situation, and announcements were made to the crowd that everything was under control. Despite the uneasy mood, the match resumed, with many fans inside the stadium still unaware of the full extent of what had occurred just outside.
Barcelona ultimately defeated Espanyol and clinched the LaLiga title, a triumph that should have been cause for massive celebration. However, the atmosphere was far from jubilant. For many in attendance, the joy of the victory was dulled by the events leading up to kickoff. Discussions among fans and analysts alike quickly shifted from tactics and goals to questions about security, crowd control, and whether more could have been done to prevent the incident.
In the days following the crash, football organizations, city officials, and fan groups began calling for an investigation into the handling of the situation. Was the car supposed to be there? How did it end up so close to a dense crowd of supporters? Were there proper safety barriers and protocols in place to prevent vehicles from entering pedestrian areas before matches?
These are questions that remain unanswered as of now. While the swift police response and lack of fatal injuries offer some relief, the fact that such an incident occurred at all has raised concerns about the safety of fans at major sporting events in Spain and across Europe.
Authorities have pledged a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the crash. Meanwhile, Espanyol and Barcelona both issued statements expressing concern for the victims and gratitude to the emergency responders who managed to contain the situation. The clubs emphasized their commitment to working with law enforcement to ensure that future matches are safe for everyone involved.
The terrifying moments outside RCDE Stadium serve as a stark reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control when large crowds, emotional tensions, and unclear circumstances collide. Football, often hailed as the world’s game, brings millions together in celebration and rivalry. But it also requires meticulous planning and safety measures to protect those who come simply to cheer for their team.
As fans across the world continue to react to the videos and news reports, the hope is that lessons will be learned and that tragedies like this can be avoided in the future. For those who were injured or traumatized, the road to recovery may take time. For the broader football community, this incident stands as a call for vigilance, preparation, and respect for the unpredictable nature of live sporting events.