Police in Torrox, a town on Spain's Costa del Sol, have dismantled a squatter camp for the second time this summer. The settlement, located under a bridge on the Rio Gui river, was initially cleared in July but had to be re-evacuated due to its precarious position and the risk posed by rising water levels.
Authorities stated that the action is part of a broader effort to address squatting issues across the region, aiming to protect vulnerable individuals and private property while ensuring safety and public order. Torrox mayor Oscar Medina emphasized the need to prevent normalization of people sleeping in riverbeds or occupying properties irregularly, especially when surrounded by fire hazards.
During the initial eviction in July, approximately ten individuals were living at the site without incident or arrest. Mattresses, refuse, and temporary shelters were removed. The settlement was then re-established, leading to the subsequent eviction.
Similar evictions have occurred throughout the summer at other locations in the vicinity, including Punta del Faro, Calle Carlos Cano, and Calle Baja. Local police reported closing 20 occupied buildings and settlements across the wider region during the summer months.
Squatting has emerged as a growing concern in Spain. In one notable case earlier this summer, a British couple returned to their holiday home in Menorca after a three-month absence to find it had been occupied. They discovered an uninstalled alarm system and evidence that someone had been living in their villa, with belongings like furniture and rugs missing.
Malaga province alone reportedly experiences around 450 illegal occupations annually, highlighting the scale of the challenge authorities face in popular tourist destinations.
Mayor Medina reiterated the town's commitment to addressing these issues. "We are continuing to act to protect both people in vulnerable situations and private property, guaranteeing safety and coexistence in our public spaces," he stated. "We cannot normalise someone sleeping in a riverbed or remaining irregularly in a property, public or private, surrounded by materials that could start a fire."
