Police have evicted a squatter camp in Torrox, a popular resort on Spain's Costa del Sol, for the second time this summer. The settlement, located under a bridge near the Rio Gui river, was initially dismantled by authorities in July.
However, the camp was re-established and subsequently cleared again due to its precarious location near the riverbed, posing a risk of rising water. This action is part of a broader regional crackdown on illegal settlements.
Torrox Mayor Oscar Medina stated that the municipality is "continuing to act to protect both people in vulnerable situations and private property, guaranteeing safety and coexistence in our public spaces." He added, "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."
During the initial eviction in July, approximately ten individuals were residing at the site. No incidents or arrests were reported at that time. Mattresses, rubbish, and temporary shelters were removed from the area.
Other squatter camps in popular tourist areas along the Costa del Sol have also been cleared this summer, including locations in Punta del Faro, Calle Carlos Cano, and Calle Baja. The issue of squatting has reportedly become more prevalent across Spain in recent months.
In a separate incident earlier this summer, a British couple returned to their holiday home in Menorca after a three-month absence to find it had been occupied by squatters. They discovered an uninstalled alarm system and that their belongings had been removed.
Máalaga, a province on the Costa del Sol, reportedly experiences around 450 illegal property occupations annually.