Battles on the beaches over Catalan independence

BEACH towel wars were once the preserve of red-faced tourists standing off over sunbeds. But on the coast of Catalonia, a new type of confrontation broke out as the region’s independence crisis played out on the sands.

Protesters and locals have clashed on Catalan beaches, with insults and fists flying over the presence of pro-independence symbols, leading to worries over the potential impact on tourism as the summer season approaches.

In the Costa Brava resort of Canet de Mar last week, three people were hurt in scuffles as dozens of yellow wooden crosses were planted on the beach in support of jailed separatist politicians.

Angry scenes erupted in Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc, prompting Enric Millo, the government’s delegate in Catalonia, to write to local mayors demanding they ensure “neutrality” on the sands. But in Mataró, a local ban on yellow crosses failed to prevent a further clashes when protesters instead adorned the beach with yellow towels.

Police were forced to step in on Sunday as one man tried to destroy the installation, shouting “separatists should be killed” as he was led away.

Barcelona’s popular city centre beach was similarly covered in towels, at the weekend but these bore the Spanish flag as anti-independence campaigners chanted: “This is our land.”

Martí Sabrià, head of the Costa Brava Centre, said protests “must take place in an atmosphere of tolerance, and without violence”.

Xavier Garcia Albiol, leader of the Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party in Catalonia, criticised the separatist protesters, saying they had not considered the consequences “these lamentable acts will have on national tourism this summer.”

Spain’s parliament will this week debate an opposition motion of no confidence in the government of Mr Rajoy, following last week’s convictions of former party officials, including a treasurer, in a corruption scandal.