Second eviction looms for Zona Franca homeless settlement

Barcelona City Council orders the removal of tents citing health concerns and rat infestations.

Generic image of camping tents in a precarious urban settlement.
IA

Generic image of camping tents in a precarious urban settlement.

The Barcelona City Police informed residents of the Zona Franca makeshift camp this Tuesday that they must vacate the area by Thursday at the latest.

This second intervention follows a partial eviction last week. Authorities claim the move is necessary to address health risks and rat infestations in the carrer número 2 area. However, social organizations argue that the Barcelona government is clearing the site without offering any housing alternatives to the nearly 200 people living there.

"We will leave tomorrow, but we don't know where to go. They haven't offered us anything new."

Homeless person · Eviction victim
The situation is particularly dire as many residents lack legal residency papers, preventing them from finding stable work. The eviction coincides with the start of Ramadan, adding further hardship to a community that already lost belongings during previous police actions near the ronda del Litoral.