Barcelona clears illegal Montjuïc settlement amid safety and sanitation concerns

The Guardia Urbana de Barcelona, supported by the Mossos d'Esquadra, began an early‑morning operation on Friday to evict an illegal encampment of makeshift shelters on Montjuïc mountain, specifically at number 56 Josep Carner street. The camp housed dozens of people experiencing extreme social exclusion, health problems and addiction, with the city citing serious security, hygiene and co‑existence issues.

City officials said the operation involved social‑service teams, cleaning crews and the Barcelona Public Health Agency, which afterwards carried out intensive disinfection to address pest infestations. While the exact number of people removed was not disclosed, estimates suggest around 50‑70 individuals regularly stayed at the site. The municipality offered temporary accommodation at the Centre d’Urgències i Emergències Socials de Barcelona, but many residents are reluctant to use such facilities. Local politicians, including the leader of the PP in Barcelona, Daniel Sirera, have called for the dismantling of all similar settlements on the mountain.

The eviction reflects ongoing tensions between Barcelona’s authorities and homeless groups over how to address illegal squatting, public health risks and the broader challenge of providing sustainable housing solutions.